{"id":161069,"date":"2021-12-01T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-01T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=161069"},"modified":"2021-12-02T08:07:59","modified_gmt":"2021-12-02T13:07:59","slug":"ictp-183-strengthening-the-internet-in-the-caribbean-and-developing-the-local-internet-economy-with-shernon-osepa-of-isoc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2021\/12\/ictp-183-strengthening-the-internet-in-the-caribbean-and-developing-the-local-internet-economy-with-shernon-osepa-of-isoc\/","title":{"rendered":"ICTP 183: Strengthening the internet in the Caribbean, and developing the local internet economy, with Shernon Osepa of ISOC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>The internet is a channel through which considerable opportunities can be leveraged, but it can be argued that it is still underdeveloped in the Caribbean region. In a long-awaited follow-up conversation with Shernon Osepa, of the Internet Society, he shares his thoughts on the state of the internet in the region, along with what he believes are the region\u2019s greatest internet-related &nbsp;challenges, and what should be the region\u2019s priorities moving forward.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" height=\"166\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" allow=\"autoplay\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?url=https%3A\/\/api.soundcloud.com\/tracks\/1169737246&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true\"><\/iframe><div style=\"font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/user-673719274\" title=\"ICT Pulse Podcast\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;\" rel=\"noopener\">ICT Pulse Podcast<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/user-673719274\/ictp-183-strengthening-the\" title=\"ICTP 183: Strengthening the internet in the Caribbean, and developing the local internet economy, with Shernon Osepa of ISOC\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;\" rel=\"noopener\">ICTP 183: Strengthening the internet in the Caribbean, and developing the local internet economy, with Shernon Osepa of ISOC<\/a><\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><meta charset=\"utf-8\"><strong>This episode is also available on <a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/user-673719274\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SoundCloud<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/ict-pulse-podcast\/id1373550291\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Apple iTunes<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/playmusic.app.goo.gl\/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&amp;isi=691797987&amp;ius=googleplaymusic&amp;apn=com.google.android.music&amp;link=https:\/\/play.google.com\/music\/m\/Icau5acn2xiyl5yjuh7orl2mt54?t%3DICT_Pulse_Podcast%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Play Music<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/3d0U4ZYX80e5lenYLdzyX4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spotify<\/a> and on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stitcher.com\/podcast\/ict-pulse-podcast?refid=stpr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stitcher<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The internet has become so integral to our lives, but here in the Caribbean region, challenges still abound. Although what may be top of mind are the technical and\/or quality of service issues \u2013 dropped service, slow download and upload speeds, still poor coverage in some areas, and resiliency concerns, to name just a few \u2013 increasingly, we also ought to consider the extent to which we, across the region, are leveraging the internet. Yes, the internet has become an important channel for entertainment and for communicating with others, but is that all the internet can do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Addressing the technical internet challenges can be a multi-tiered process, as they tend to require local, regional and international participation on matters related to internet governance. An important player in these global conversations is the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.internetsociety.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Internet Society (ISOC)<\/a><\/strong>, a non-profit advocacy organisation, headquartered in the United States, that has as its mission &#8220;<em>to promote the open development, evolution, and use of the Internet for the benefit of all people throughout the world<\/em>&#8220;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the global organisation, ISOC is assisted in its mission by local Chapters, which tend to run a variety of programmes and events. In the English-speaking Caribbean, there are just six countries have Chapters: Barbados; Dominica; Guyana; Jamaica; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; and Trinidad and Tobago. The Chapters are autonomously-run and volunteer-driven, and are able to focus their efforts on facilitating and fostering internet for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In today\u2019s podcast episode, we check back in with the ISOC representative for the Caribbean region, Shernon Osepa, who was our very first guest in 2018! Essentially, and with Shernon, we take a temperature check on the state of the internet in the region \u2013 the good, the bad, and the areas that need to be improved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introducing our guest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"128691\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2018\/04\/ictp-001-unleashing-internet-infrastructure-resilience-caribbean-shernon-osepa\/shernon-osepa-from-s-osepa\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Shernon-Osepa-from-S-Osepa.jpeg?fit=522%2C435&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"522,435\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Shernon Osepa (from S Osepa)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Shernon Osepa&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Shernon-Osepa-from-S-Osepa.jpeg?fit=300%2C250&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Shernon-Osepa-from-S-Osepa.jpeg?fit=522%2C435&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fgd.dfv.mybluehost.me\/.website_c81a1e61\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Shernon-Osepa-from-S-Osepa.jpeg?resize=372%2C310&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-128691\" width=\"372\" height=\"310\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Shernon-Osepa-from-S-Osepa.jpeg?w=522&amp;ssl=1 522w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Shernon-Osepa-from-S-Osepa.jpeg?resize=300%2C250&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 372px) 100vw, 372px\" \/><figcaption>Shernon Osepa<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.internetsociety.org\/author\/osepa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shernon Osepa<\/a><\/strong> is the Director, Caribbean Affairs and Development at the Internet Society (ISOC). Previously he was the Manager for Regional Affairs for Latin America and Caribbean at ISOC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prior to joining ISOC, Shernon was the Manager Regional Relations Caribbean for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Before ICANN, he was a Policy Advisor with the Telecommunications and Post Regulatory Authority in the Netherlands Antilles, and he had worked with the local telecommunications incumbent operator in Cura\u00e7ao.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He is a co-founder and contributed to the development of the \u201cCaribbean Peering &amp; Interconnection Forum (CarPIF). His interests also include Small Islands Development States (SIDS), digital economy development, natural disaster mitigation strategies and cybersecurity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shernon is a national of Cura\u00e7ao, where he is still based. He is fluent in Dutch, English, Spanish, Papiamento and has a working understanding of French and Portuguese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Insights into our conversation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As consumers, we certainly has our own opinion about the state of the internet in the Caribbean region, which tends to be based solely on our personal and local experience. It is thus always useful to have the opportunity to speak with someone who is able to have a more holistic view, due to the fact that his\/her reach across the region is considerably farther than our own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although I am continually keeping tabs on ICT and tech developments in the region, I still found the conversation with Shernon very insightful, as he has been a presence in the Caribbean internet governance space for well over a decade, and so could draw on and highlight the evolution that has occurred. Further, he was able to share some of the work ISOC is championing and facilitating across the region, through which to illustrate challenges that are being experienced, in addition to the efforts being made to address them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below are the key questions posed to Shernon during our conversation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" type=\"1\"><li>Can you briefly outline what the Internet Society (ISOC) is and what it does?<\/li><li>As the Manager, Regional Affairs for Latin America and the Caribbean, what does your job entail?<\/li><li>How has the Internet in the Caribbean region changed over the past 5 years?<\/li><li>What work has ISOC been doing in the Caribbean since we last spoke in early 2018?<\/li><li>In your opinion, what has been the impact of the pandemic on the Internet, generally, and more specifically, in the Caribbean region?<\/li><li>How might ISOC be adjusting its work in light of the pandemic?<\/li><li>What do you see as the region\u2019s greatest challenges?<\/li><li>Into the future, what do you believe should be the region\u2019s priorities?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>We would love to hear from you!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ICTPulse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Facebook<\/strong><\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/ict-pulse-consulting-limited\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>LinkedIn<\/strong><\/a> pages, or via Twitter, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ICTPulse\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>@ICTPulse<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Select links<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.internetsociety.org\/author\/osepa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shernon Osepa<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.internetsociety.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Internet Society<\/a><\/li><li>ICT Pulse Podcast episode, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/fgd.dfv.mybluehost.me\/.website_c81a1e61\/2021\/11\/ictp-181-internet-exchange-points-and-the-data-scarcity-challenge-in-the-caribbean-region\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ICTP 181: Internet Exchange Points and the data scarcity challenge in the Caribbean region<\/a><\/em>&nbsp;<\/li><li>ICT Pulse Podcast episode, <em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/2018\/04\/ictp-001-unleashing-internet-infrastructure-resilience-caribbean-shernon-osepa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ICTP 001: Unleashing the Internet and infrastructure resilience in the Caribbean, with Shernon Osepa<\/a><\/em><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.internetsociety.org\/chapters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ISOC Chapters<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Image credits:  S Osepa;  S Osepa;  <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wikimedia Commons<\/a>;  <meta charset=\"utf-8\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wikimedia Commons<\/a>;  Sumanley (<a href=\"http:\/\/pixabay.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixabay<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Music credit:  Ray Holman<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Podcast editing support:  Mayra Bonilla Lopez<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The internet is a channel through which considerable opportunities can be leveraged, but it can be argued that it is still underdeveloped in the Caribbean region. In a long-awaited follow-up conversation with Shernon Osepa, of the Internet Society, he shares his thoughts on the state of the internet in the region, along with what he believes are the region\u2019s greatest internet-related \u00a0challenges, and what should be the region\u2019s priorities moving forward.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":161070,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[355],"tags":[32,48,43,357,15],"class_list":["post-161069","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-podcast","tag-information-society","tag-infrastructure","tag-internet-governance","tag-interviews","tag-trends","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Featured-Image-ISOC-2021.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2iE1G-FTT","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161069","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=161069"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161069\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":161084,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161069\/revisions\/161084"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/161070"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=161069"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=161069"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=161069"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}