CARICOM Reviews Regional Telecommunications Environment

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is currently reviewing the telecommunications environment across the region, with a focus on creating a more competitive landscape for consumers and service providers. This comes as CARICOM heads work to address concerns regarding the economic impact of large telecommunications firms operating in the region without contributing to the local economies.

The review, led by the Hon. Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, is supported by key leaders including the Hon. David Burt, Premier of Bermuda, and the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados. The aim is to ensure that customers are treated fairly while promoting a competitive environment that encourages equitable access to services across the Caribbean.

Prime Minister Mottley, at the conclusion of the 48th Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads, addressed the issue of substantial earnings from some communication platforms operating in the region. According to her statement, these platforms generate billions in revenue, with estimates reaching as high as $11.6 billion annually. However, despite this significant income, these companies do not contribute taxes to the regional economy. This lack of financial contribution to the Caribbean’s infrastructure and economy has raised concerns among CARICOM members.

“We were informed that these entities earn as much as $11.6B a year and they pay no taxes. There is no contribution in any way to the regional economy, and at the same time, the absence of revenue to the telecommunications firms means that at the very time we need to be looking at re-investment to make our telecommunications infrastructure sturdier, it is not there,” said Prime Minister Mottley.

The review process will continue as CARICOM leaders explore ways to ensure fairness for consumers, balance the interests of providers, and boost the competitiveness of the region’s telecommunications sector. “We are conscious that the Caribbean, as a region of small states, has higher telecommunications costs than we would normally like to see as compared to other regions,” Prime Minister Mottley added.

The leadership of CARICOM is determined to find solutions that will enable the Caribbean to modernize its telecommunications infrastructure while ensuring that all stakeholders, including service providers, contribute to the economic development of the region.

This review marks a critical step in CARICOM’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the region’s telecommunications sector and create an environment where businesses and consumers alike can thrive.

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