WILLEMSTAD – The Caribbean’s transition to a gigabit society, outlined by widespread high-speed web connectivity of 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), requires an funding of upwards of USD 9 billion, in accordance with Lisa Agard, Chair of CANTO’s C9 committee. Talking on the second day of CANTO’s forty first Annual Common Assembly (AGM) on the Renaissance Wind Creek Curaçao Resort, Agard highlighted the pressing want for infrastructural upgrades to bridge the area’s digital divide. 

Agard emphasised the robust correlation between web connectivity and financial improvement, noting that the Caribbean lags 15-20 factors behind Europe and the USA on the Worldwide Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) ICT Growth Index (IDI). She gave the greater than 300 delegates some key statistics:  

Connectivity Gaps and Their Influence 

Shut to fifteen million individuals throughout the area, together with Haiti, lack cell connectivity.4.6 million households stay with none type of web entry, whether or not cell or broadband. Digital exclusion impedes workforce upskilling, entrepreneurship, and enterprise competitiveness. Establishing good communities is in danger attributable to insufficient digital infrastructure. 

Lisa Agard, Chair CANTO C9 Committee 

Funding Challenges and OTT Influence 

Regardless of annual infrastructure investments exceeding USD 500 million since 2017, regional telecom operators battle to see returns. Agard highlighted that 70% of community information site visitors is consumed by Over-the-High (OTT) providers, which don’t contribute to community deployment or upkeep. With regional information site visitors throughout regional networks set to develop by twenty-six % (26%), requiring infrastructure upgrades 5 instances what now exists, Agard says regional governments should do all it takes to safe the funding for the required upgrades if the area is to notice its targets of common connectivity and digital transformation in a 5G and ultra-fast web connectivity world. The funding wanted to attain gigabit society standing contains: 

•       USD 3.45 billion for cell community upgrades. 

•       USD 5.8 to USD 10.8 billion for fibre-based broadband connectivity. 

A Name to Motion for CARICOMAs CARICOM Heads of Authorities put together to satisfy in February 2025, Agard urged regional policymakers to take decisive motion in securing the Caribbean’s digital future. Key priorities embrace: 

Requiring systemic site visitors mills (OTTs) to contribute to broadband infrastructure funding; and 

Harmonizing regulatory frameworks to create a unified Caribbean ICT area. “The Caribbean’s digital transformation can not wait,” Agard said. “We should make daring, strategic selections to make sure common, high-speed connectivity for financial development and social improvement.”