The disparity in telecoms and ICT connectivity between rural and urban areas in the Caribbean region can be quite wide. More importantly, improving rural connectivity, especially broadband Internet connectivity, does not appear to be a priority in the region, although the challenges and deficiencies have become increasingly evident.

 

Across most countries worldwide, there is likely to be a disparity between the quality and standards of telecoms and ICT services that can be secured in urban areas, versus rural areas. Due to the population density of city centres and urban communities, it tends to be more cost effective to deploy infrastructure and services in those areas, as opposed to the countryside, when tends to be not as densely population, and may require the roll out of more infrastructure in order to have a similar impact.

Across the Caribbean region, there is a distinct urban/rural divide. In many countries, most of the major towns and cities are either on the coast or occupy relatively flat terrain. As one moves away from those major population centres, the terrain can be  quite be hilly and not as densely populated, with rural towns and communities in pockets separated by (relatively) wide expanses of land. Further, in and around those communities, houses are sprinkled around the environs, and it is not uncommon to find that there are no official roads, and/or utilities connected to those premises.

To a considerable degree, rural communities in the Caribbean have benefitted from the wide deployment of mobile/cellular networks in their respective countries, and the availability of low cost mobile/cellular services. As a result, and across most countries, at least 80% of the population have mobile/cellular coverage. Now, thanks to the widespread availability of mobile broadband Internet, mobile/cellular users also have Internet access – although the latest deployed technology, 4G LTE, might not be as readily available in non-urban areas.

 

Limitations of mobile/cellular service

The introduction of mobile/cellular services in rural areas addressed a glaring deficiency with regard to the access to and availability of telecoms services in many countries, and it could argued that to some extent, it may have made the disparity in service between urban and rural areas less pronounced. However, some of the challenges came to the fore due to COVID-19, with the closure of schools and people being asked to work from home. In essence, the limited access to fixed broadband services in rural communities resulted in children not being able to readily partake of the online learning platforms schools were using. Additionally, for individuals who were working from home, they had to connect to their offices via mobile broadband Internet, which is considerably more expensive than fixed broadband services, and consequently, may not be a sustainable option.

The existence of mobile/cellular connectivity in rural areas may have appeared to obviate the need fixed-line broadband infrastructure to also be deployed. Fixed-lined networks are a considerably more expensive option than mobile/cellular networks, and it is unlikely that the carriers would be able to secure a reasonable return of investment, should that infrastructure is extended to rural areas.

Additionally, and as was noted in our recent article on Meaningful Connectivity, mobile/cellular phones and smartphones “offer an abbreviated experience of online platforms and software products through the use of applications”. As a result, although people might appear to be engaging in a lot of activity online via their phones, they cannot experience the “full functionality of digital products and platforms”. More importantly, it can be argued that digital skills and literacy is still low – although smartphone and Internet use have been increasing across the region.

The challenges associated with meaningful connectivity and digital literacy are not limited to rural communities. It could be argued that an over-reliance of mobile/cellular service – due to the limited availability of fixed-line services in certain communities, and/or the inability of consumers to pay for fixed-line services and the associated equipment – is not equipping citizens to leverage the Internet, thus putting them at a disadvantage, which in turn makes countries less competitive.

 

Addressing rural connectivity

The role the Internet is playing in our lives means that it can no longer be relegated to a ‘nice-to-have’. It has become essential for our individual survival, and that of our countries. Further, it can no longer be assumed that rural connectivity will be addressed and improved. Telecoms markets across the Caribbean are maturing, and the incumbent players, in and of themselves, are not necessarily keen to make the requisite investment in non-urban areas to reduce the connectivity divide. Such action ought to be driven by policy: to establish the vision and desired outcomes,  which then can be used to inform strategies and implementation plans.

Earlier this year, the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), proposed a policy framework for rural broadband Internet. The framework sought to highlight important areas of consideration when a policy to improve rural broadband internet is being conceptualised. Recommendations were made in the following seven areas:

  • Harness market competition while addressing market failures
  • Streamline regulatory processes
  • Invest in and improve public access and universal service and access funds
  • Effectively manage spectrum resources
  • Leverage innovative technologies, architectures, and business models
  • Adopt appropriate tax and fee structures
  • Stimulate demand for broadband services.

Currently, and across the Caribbean region, national plans and/or ICT sector development plans in many countries are overdue for an update. In addition to goals, such as becoming leading ICT hubs in the region, realising smart cities, and having seamless and more efficient government operations, to name a few, rural broadband development could feature among the key goals, and could be underpinned by the A4Ai’s policy recommendations, as considered appropriate.

 

Parting thoughts

In summary, we all know the adage, ‘a chain is only as strong as its weakest link’. Although in some Caribbean countries, consumers are able to access broadband Internet connectivity of up to 100 Megabits per second, or even 1 Gigabits per second, in those same countries, other users are only able to access mobile/cellular EDGE download speeds, which tends to be around 384 kilobits per second. This disparity not only highlights the difference in the quality and the service available in a single country, but also points to the extent to which equitable access – and more importantly, equitable opportunity – for citizens to leverage technology, is being fostered.

As the posture for the Internet to be designated a basic right continues to gain more traction both within the Caribbean and worldwide, the ‘equity of connectivity’ will become an issue countries will need to address. A proactive approach on the issue will augur well to the Caribbean region’s long-term economic and social development, as we aim to not leave anyone behind, as we continue our evolution to digital societies.

 

 

Image credit:  Pxhere  

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