At almost every stage, Caribbean countries have had to justify whether their markets can support advanced digital technologies. Co-Founder and CEO of Paradise Mobile, Sam Tabbara, joins us in this episode to share his thoughts on issues including:  the claims by major regional telcos that there was no business case for 5G in the region; whether it is possible and plausible for less populous or lower-income Caribbean countries to sustain advanced digital technologies; the role of the regulator in the emerging construct; and what is next for Paradise Mobile in the Caribbean region.

 

This episode is also available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.

On 15 October 2025, Liberty Caribbean announced the launch of its 5G+ mobile cellular network in Barbados, which it will soon be deploying across the Caribbean region. This development marks a shift in the stance of major regional telcos, who previously expressed a reluctance to roll out 5G, citing difficulties in establishing a sound business case. That no longer seems to be the case, as other companies have successfully launched 5G services in the region.

Though the joke may be on Digicel and Flow, in now having to scramble to deploy 5G networks to remain relevant and competitive, Caribbean countries may still find themselves continually needing to justify whether they can sustain advanced digital technologies. Questions were asked when 4G was the new kid on the block. They were asked with 5G… and will most likely also occur with 6G. Moreover, there is also scepticism regarding the sustainability of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things, and machine learning, for example, which we may need to answer decisively sooner rather than later.

 

Introducing our guest

Sam Tabarra

Sam Tabbara is a seasoned entrepreneur and tech expert who has founded multiple successful startups in telecom, consulting, digital platforms, and internet brands. With over 10 years of technical and leadership experience at the largest telecommunications company in Canada, he has a proven track record of recruiting and leading teams to launch new telco consumer brands across North and South America. Notably, he was responsible for leading the team that launched Canada’s first commercial 5G service. Sam is also a sought-after global speaker on topics such as 5G, disruptive technologies, smart cities, and big data.

Currently, Sam is the Chief Executive Officer and one of the Co-Founders of Paradise Mobile, a wireless telecoms provider with a suite of innovative products and services. The company established Bermuda’s first 5G network and is in the process of launching operations in the Cayman Islands, with other Caribbean countries to follow.

 

Insights into our conversation

The overarching theme for our conversation with Sam was, Can Caribbean countries sustain advanced digital technologies? Although the change in posture by the more established regional telcos regarding 5G was the impetus, the point is that, as smaller economies, with lower incomes and high cost of living, concerns have been expressed about the viability and sustainability of advanced technologies in the region. Moreover, without comprehensive access to these technologies, Caribbean countries may find themselves not as competitive globally, no longer relevant and being left behind.

In exploring the theme with Sam, whose experience ranges from working with large telcos in a broad range of roles to starting his own firms, he not only offers an interesting perspective on the state of telecoms in the region, but also on the continued viability of the existing telcos based on the technologies and ICT-enabled services that will soon be available. In a nutshell, there are challenges, but they are not insurmountable.

Below are some of the questions that drove our conversation with Sam.

  1. When we spoke with Zlako in April 2024, Paradise Mobile had launched its 5G service in Bermuda and was in the process of setting up operations in the Cayman Islands. What have you all been up to since then?
  2. As I mentioned earlier, Liberty Caribbean announced it will be launching the first commercial 5G+ mobile network in Barbados. It thus seems that the initial claim by the major regional telcos that there was no business case for 5G in the region might no longer be true. What are your thoughts?
  3. As much as countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and Barbados have 5G deployed, is it possible and plausible for less populous or lower-income Caribbean countries to also have 5G?
  4. How does the current patchwork of telecommunications and ICT regulatory frameworks across the region affect the sustainability of advanced digital technologies and services, if at all?
  5. Is a regulated, managed monopoly or a strong infrastructure sharing framework the more sustainable path for the region than aggressive competition?
  6. What is next for Paradise Mobile?

 

We would love to hear your thoughts!

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Also, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, do get in touch.

Let’s make it happen!

 

Select links

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that were mentioned during the episode, or might otherwise be useful:

 

 

Images credit:  S Tabbara;  Freepik; creativeart (Freepik);  Freepik

Music credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Chérie), by Andy Narrell

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez