“Digiport” in Jamaica: The Birthplace of BPO As We Know It?

Did you know that BPO in Jamaica wasn’t always called “BPO”? It was once known as the “Digiport” industry, when the sector’s original pioneers began offering digital services out of the country.

Back in 1988, Edward Seaga (pictured), then Prime Minister of Jamaica, embarked on a three-way collaboration with Cable and Wireless and AT&T to create employment around the process of electronically transmitted data. This new industry was named Digiport and led to the establishment of related operations in the Montego Bay Freeport, resulting in the creation of nearly 100,000 jobs in three years.

“My mind became very active, wondering how many young people could be involved,” writes Seaga for the Jamaica Observer, expressing his view that the same progression is happening with BPO today.