The results presented have been drawn from data published by the ITU and comprised an examination of the following for countries across the Caribbean:<\/p>\n
- \n
- density of fixed-line telephony subscriptions<\/li>\n
- density of fixed broadband Internet subscriptions<\/li>\n
- density of mobile\/cellular telephony subscriptions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This year, only 14 countries, listed in Table 1, consistently provided the requisite data.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/List-of-Caribbean-countries-that-reported-telecoms-data-for-2017.jpg?resize=460%2C151\")
Table 1: List of Caribbean countries that reported telecoms data for 2017 (Source: ICT Pulse)<\/p><\/div>\n
As per usual, it is emphasised that the ITU depends on either the government or the telecoms firms to supply the data that is eventually published. However, it is not clear the extent to which ITU seeks to corroborate or otherwise validate the data it published, and neither have any explanations been given for any anomalies that might be evident.<\/p>\n
Results: Fixed-line telephony market<\/h3>\n
Across the Caribbean, there continues to be a wide disparity in fixed-line telephone subscription densities across the 15 countries for which data was provided. The highest subscriber densities were reported in Barbados, at approximately 49 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants; followed by the British Virgin Islands, with nearly 32 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (Figure 1).<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Fixed-line-telephone-penetration-in-select-Caribbean-countries-as-at-2017-Source-ITU.png?resize=560%2C498\")
Figure 1: Fixed-line telephone penetration in select Caribbean countries as at 2017 (Source: ITU)<\/p><\/div>\n
At the other end of the spectrum, the lowest fixed-line telephony subscriber density was reported in Haiti, at approximately 5 subscriptions per 10,000 inhabitants (not per 100); which is followed by Jamaica, with about 10 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.<\/p>\n
Results: Mobile\/cellular market<\/h3>\n
With respect to mobile\/cellular subscription density, and the 14 countries for which data was recorded, half of them still reported mobile\/cellular subscriptions densities over 100 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, as reflected in Table 2. The highest subscription density was recorded in Trinidad and Tobago, at approximately 148 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, with the next highest subscription density being reported in Suriname at around 141 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Mobilecellular-penetration-in-select-Caribbean-countries-as-at-2017-Source-ITU.png?resize=560%2C469\")
Figure 2: Mobile\/cellular penetration in select Caribbean countries as at 2017 (Source: ITU)<\/p><\/div>\n
The lowest mobile\/cellular subscriptions densities were reported in Cuba, at approximately 40 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants. Haiti had the second lowest among the countries examined, at around 59 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.<\/p>\n
Results: Fixed broadband Internet market<\/h3>\n
With respect to fixed broadband Internet subscriptions, the highest subscription density among the 14 countries for which data was reported, was recorded in Barbados at around 31 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, as shown in Figure 3. The next highest fixed broadband Internet subscription density was recorded in Trinidad and Tobago, at nearly 24 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Fixed-broadband-subscription-densities-in-select-Caribbean-countries-as-at-2017-Source-ITU.png?resize=560%2C538\")
Figure 3: Fixed broadband subscription densities in select Caribbean countries as at 2017 (Source: ITU)<\/p><\/div>\n
Conversely, the lowest fixed broadband Internet subscription density was reported in Cuba and Haiti, both of which had less than 1 subscription per 100 inhabitants. Haiti reported 27 subscriptions per 10,000 inhabitants, whilst Cuba reported 29 subscriptions per 10,000 inhabitants.<\/p>\n
Results: Region-wide trends<\/h3>\n
Finally, Figure 4 shows the subscription density trends across the Caribbean over the past eight years, from 2010 to 2017, for fixed-line telephony, mobile\/cellular and fixed broadband Internet service.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Averaged-fixed-line-telephony-mobilecellular-and-fixed-broadband-Internet-subscription-densities-from-2010%E2%80%932017-Source-ITU.png?resize=640%2C457\")
Figure 4: Averaged fixed-line telephony, mobile\/cellular and fixed broadband Internet subscription densities across the Caribbean from 2010\u20132017 (Source: ITU)<\/p><\/div>\n
The density of mobile\/cellular subscriptions continues to outstrip considerably those for fixed-line telephony and fixed broadband Internet. However, interestingly, since 2015, there has been a decline in subscription densities across all of the segments.
\nHaving said this, it must be emphasised that the fact that fewer countries are reporting their telecoms data to the ITU, or otherwise making it publicly available is worrying, as it limits the comparison and analysis that can be performed. However, it must also be stated that it can be a challenge to consistently collect data. A concerted and sustained effort is essential to establish the requisite data collection systems, and to monitor them regularly to ensure they are working and remain effective.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Image credit:\u00a0\u00a0Tookapic (Pexels<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n