PM Phillips says no region will be left behind in Guyana’s digital transformation
IN a ground-breaking development for Guyana’s hinterland connectivity, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on Wednesday hailed the commissioning of the first-ever direct submarine fibre-optic cable to Bartica by local telecommunications company ENet. The milestone ushers in gigabit-speed internet access for residents and businesses in Bartica – a first for the town known as the gateway to the interior.
The Prime Minister, delivering remarks at the commissioning ceremony, lauded the project as a “historic milestone” that signifies real progress in closing the digital divide between Guyana’s coastland and hinterland. The high-speed internet connection, comparable to that available in Georgetown, is expected to transform the landscape of education, commerce, public services, and daily life in the Region Seven community.
“This is an immense technical achievement that also signifies a meaningful step towards bridging the digital divide between our coast and hinterland,” the Prime Minister stated. “We commend ENet for its bold investment and welcome this initiative as a demonstration of what can be achieved through partnership, innovation, and a shared commitment to national development.”
The new fibre-optic link is part of the Government of Guyana’s broader push under its Digital Guyana strategy to modernise national ICT infrastructure and promote inclusive development. Since liberalising the telecommunications sector in 2020, the Government has expanded connectivity to over 100 ICT hubs and more than 130 schools, particularly in underserved areas.
Bartica’s upgrade to high-speed internet opens the door to a host of possibilities—from enabling students to access real-time digital learning resources to allowing small businesses to scale operations beyond regional boundaries. Public institutions will now also benefit from greater speed and efficiency in delivering services.
“Connectivity is a necessity for education, commerce, healthcare, and good governance,” Prime Minister Phillips affirmed. “This initiative brings Bartica forward, integrating the community more fully into the national and global economy.”
He also reiterated the administration’s commitment to ensuring that all Guyanese—whether on the coast or in the interior—have equal access to digital infrastructure and public services.
“As I recently reaffirmed in Mabaruma,” the Prime Minister said, “these regions will receive the same standard of connectivity and government services that citizens along the coast already enjoy.”
President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has pledged that within the next year, every essential government service—including administrative licensing, GRA support, and financial services—will be accessible within hinterland communities, eliminating the need to travel to Georgetown.
With ENet’s submarine fibre-optic cable now delivering gigabit speeds to Bartica, residents are being brought into the fold of Guyana’s digital transformation. The move not only supports regional equity but sets the stage for long-term social and economic growth.
“We realise that if the digital divide continues, we cannot speak of development in a truly inclusive way,” Prime Minister Phillips concluded. “That is why the Government will continue to support initiatives like this one, ensuring that every region, every town, and every citizen is included in Guyana’s digital future.”
