At the recently held CANTO conference and trade exhibition, telecom operators, regulators and content providers were encouraged to help more in fostering the internet in the Caribbean region. We discuss some of the views shared and offer another perspective on how the issue could be approached.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 37th Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition of the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organisations (CANTO) was held earlier this week in Miami under the theme, Enabling the Digital Evolution<\/em>. In the keynote address delivered by the Prime Minister of Guyana, the Honourable Brigadier (Retired) Mark Anthony Phillips, he emphasised the growing importance of ICT whilst also highlighting the growing inequality and widening digital divide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026no country, no region, no town, no village, no community, and no person should be left unconnected; for we cannot begin to speak of Digital Evolution without addressing the manifest injustice and inequality of the underlying digital divide.\u201d<\/p>(Source: CANTO<\/a>)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The Honourable Prime Minister thus sought to rally the Caribbean telcos and service providers to become more invested in the region by \u201cprioritising long-term returns emanating from sustainable, resilient economies\u2026rather than cashing in on short-term windfalls<\/em>\u201d (Source: CANTO<\/a>). He also sought to encourage telecom operators, regulators and content providers to do more to foster responsible internet usage, cognisant of the balance that is needed between freedom of speech, and the damage misinformation and disinformation can cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Government\u2019s role does not stop at liberalisation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In his address, Prime Minister Phillips highlighted the fact that the Government of Guyana has done its part \u201cto ensure an environment conducive to investment with the liberalisation of the telecoms sector in October 2020<\/em>\u201d (Source: CANTO<\/a>). In the case of Guyana, as occurred in virtually all Caribbean countries that have liberalised their telecoms sector and introduced (or strengthened) their regulatory framework, it was a highly protracted process over several years. New legislation was needed and there would have been extensive negotiations with the incumbent operator (with several delays), and eventually, a phased approach to the liberalisation process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It all starts with policy, and so starts with Government<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A key observation that has been made over the past several years is that although Caribbean policymakers have been advocating for various ICT-related initiatives to occur in their home countries, no policies to properly frame the vision and propose strategies have been absent. However, having a policy is beginning, as it provides clarity on the desires and direction of the leadership, which should be informed by stakeholder engagement. In turn, the final and adopted policy should provide a coherent framework that all stakeholders can follow and can align their plans, whilst also offering a sense of stability regarding the future direction of the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many of the ICT policies that have been prepared by Caribbean countries are at least 10 years old, countries would benefit from executing a completely new national ICT policy development exercise. Also, and noting the speed at which technology has been evolving, scheduled reviews to update the policy and accompanying strategy to ensure its continued relevance, ought to be built into the development process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Developing the enabling environment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Following the adoption of a new national ICT policy and strategy, implementation is crucial, so the requisite governance and accountability systems ought to be put in place. A multistakeholder approach is recommended for the oversight provided comprising representatives of the private and public sectors, along with civil society and special interest groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is also highlighted that similar to the telecoms liberalisation effort, the government will be crucial in creating the enabling environment for the new vision to be achieved. Typically, new laws, additional policies and frameworks would need to be developed, along with incentives for private sector entities and the public at large. This is no mean feat, but there is a greater likelihood that the vision of greater equality and inclusion, the narrowing of the digital divide, and a broad range of opportunities thanks to technology, will be realised if Government takes the lead, and not just try to rely on the private sector to get it done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Image credit:\u00a0 inesheidtmann (Pixabay<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n