viNGN Announces New Mobile Public Computer Center Lab

ST. THOMAS — The Virgin Islands Next Generation Network, Inc. (viNGN) announced on Friday its latest initiative with the addition of the Mobile Public Computer Center (PCC) Lab, which will help to enhance public computer access for Virgin Islands residents to the viNGN network, while also providing additional educational training opportunities.

The associated equipment for the Mobile PCC Lab, delivery of which began arriving in the territory this week, will include 10 Chromebooks, computer mice, and a mini projector, and will allow for the Chromebooks to be used to enhance the number of available stations for future PCC training events, while residents continue to utilize the territory’s existing free PCCs, which provide Wi-Fi service, according to viNGN.

The Mobile PCC Lab will allow on-the-go, computer literacy training and basic computer science related demonstrations at any location where a Wi-Fi Internet connection is available.

“viNGN often receives requests to provide training outside of the PCCs and the Mobile PCC Lab is a hardware enabler to provide impromptu computer literacy training in any PCC, viNGN training space, or a location where Wi-Fi is available,” said viNGN PCC Manager Anita Davis.

viNGN has invited the community to experience a hands-on Chromebook introductory lesson by attending one or more of its special training events, which are posted here.

In combination with Mobile PCC Lab, residents also have access to the existing 33 PCCs located throughout the territory (locate them here), which also offer free high-speed Wi-Fi service. Any person who visits a PCC has the option of using one of the PCC’s computer workstations or they can also use their own personal computing device such as a laptop, iPad, Chromebook and smartphone, among other devices.

The Mobile PCC Lab was developed through a collaborative effort between viNGN President and CEO Dr. H. Mark McGibnon, Ms. Davis and Emy Tseng from Broadband USA, a division of National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)).

During the recent 2017 Digital Inclusion Week, Broadband USA’s Tseng cited viNGN as a top-in-class business model for dedicating a full-time PCC Manager, as well as the many PCC volunteers, who continuously improve the computer digital literacy throughout the community, according to the release. Furthermore, Ms. Tseng continues to provide viNGN with free advice via webinars, emails, and telephone discussions to help increase the USVI’s digital literacy and broadband adoption, which includes her most recent advice around the creation of the Mobile PCC Lab.

For more information on free and live USVI digital learning opportunities or to sign up for PCC alerts for delivery to your email inbox, contact Anita Davis at 340-715-8581 x2244 or [email protected].

Feature Image: From left to right: Pamela Finley, viNGN’s communications director, and Anita Davis, PCC Manager. (Credit: viNGN)