NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell is looking on the Caribbean to capitalize on the present surroundings to reimagine and speed up the digital way forward for the area.
“This gathering isn’t only a celebration of 4 a long time of collaboration; it’s a second to take inventory of how far we’ve come and to ask daring questions on the place we go subsequent,” mentioned Mitchell, who has led duty inside the Caribbean Group (CARICOM) quasi-cabinet with duty for Science and Know-how.
He advised delegates attending the fortieth annual convention of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Affiliation of Nationwide Telecommunication Organizations (CANTO) that establishing a single CARICOM Data and Communication Know-how (ICT) house would harmonize laws, facilitate seamless knowledge flows, and safeguard the area’s collective sovereignty.
“Solely by talking with one voice can we bridge fragmented markets and unlock the complete promise of a gigabit-enabled Caribbean,” he advised the convention, which is being held beneath the theme “In the direction of a Unified and Sustainable Gigabit Society,” and ends on Thursday.
Mitchell urged heads of presidency, trade leaders, policymakers, and innovators to grab this milestone second to reimagine and speed up the digital way forward for the area, drawing upon his twin duties as Grenada’s head of presidency and CARICOM’s ICT chief.
He mentioned Grenada’s nationwide technique spans 5 pillars – digital authorities, resilient infrastructure, safe digital id, a thriving digital financial system, and common inclusion, indicating that progress in Grenada is inseparable from regional unity.
Mitchell additionally highlighted world digital developments and rising applied sciences, comparable to AI, quantum computing, 5G, and blockchain, which might be reshaping economies as we speak, not tomorrow.
“The query isn’t if we’ll take part on this revolution, however how – and on whose phrases,” he mentioned, figuring out pressing priorities comparable to guaranteeing satellite tv for pc connectivity for catastrophe resilience, establishing a federated cloud that respects regional knowledge legal guidelines, embedding belief via digital ID and fraud prevention, and embracing open Radio Entry Networks (RAN) and interoperable 5G rollouts.
“Governments can’t ship this transformation alone. The non-public sector should transfer past service provision to turn into real companions in coverage, infrastructure funding, and inclusive progress. Your success is the success of our societies, and we should share duty for increasing entry, sharing infrastructure, and upskilling our youth,” he mentioned.
The convention has introduced collectively greater than 700 delegates from 52 international locations, and CANTO chairman, Dr. Delreo Newman, reminded the viewers that the Port of Spain-based entity was not fashioned to observe the evolution of Caribbean telecommunications.
“We have been born to steer it, from analog to AI, we’ve got powered healthcare, commerce, and schooling throughout the area. However our work stays unfinished,” Newman mentioned, noting that 15 million Caribbean residents nonetheless lack cell broadband, and 4 million households stay with out fibre, at the same time as regional knowledge demand is projected to develop fivefold by 2030.
He mentioned that 4 main world content material platforms collectively generated greater than US$11.5 billion in income from Caribbean customers in 2024, but their direct contribution to regional community funding stays restricted.
He mentioned that this imbalance should be addressed and reiterated CANTO’s view that digital infrastructure ought to be a shared duty amongst all who profit from it.
Newman mentioned CANTO will proceed working with Caricom’s private-sector companions and regulators to advance balanced digital coverage.
Chairman of the US Federal Communications Fee (FCC), Brendan Carr, whose presence marked the company’s first official go to to CANTO since 2018, mentioned, “We’re dedicated to working with our Caribbean companions to strengthen ties between our networks, our economies, and our individuals.”
Carr famous that telecom is at an inflection level attributable to AI, low-Earth orbit satellite tv for pc broadband, and spectrum reform, highlighting how US funding in 5G and coverage agility have helped drive down broadband costs and increase service attain.
Carr additionally known as for shared priorities — community safety, spectrum harmonisation, and infrastructure growth.
Secretary-Basic of the Worldwide Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, mentioned that connectivity is not only about pace, but additionally about alternative and resilience. “Connectivity is financial empowerment. It’s societal resilience. It’s saving lives,” she mentioned, including that” because the digital tide rises, allow us to be sure that it lifts each island, each group, and each life”.
Bodan-Martin highlighted ITU help within the Caribbean, together with faculty connectivity through Giga, digital ID programs, cell monetary companies safety, and emergency telecoms preparedness.
CANTO’s Secretary Basic, Teresa Wankin, urged delegates to deal with the convention as each a discussion board and a catalyst.
“Once you decide to CANTO, whether or not by attending, exhibiting, or sponsoring, you aren’t simply exhibiting up. You’re becoming a member of a motion that’s shaping the way forward for our area,” she mentioned, highlighting a forward-looking agenda that includes AI-powered networks, federated cloud infrastructure, and fintech convergence.
