The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has announced plans to conduct a comprehensive review of the regional telecommunications environment. This initiative, revealed by CARICOM Chair and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, aims to address longstanding issues in the sector and promote fair competition while ensuring benefits for both consumers and providers.

Key points of the review include:

1. Examining the impact of global streaming and messaging services:
   • CARICOM will scrutinize the operations of companies like Netflix and WhatsApp, which generate significant revenue from the region without contributing to local economies or infrastructure development.
   • These companies reportedly earn up to US$11.6 billion annually from the Caribbean market without paying taxes or reinvesting in regional telecommunications infrastructure.
2. Addressing high telecommunications costs:
   • The review acknowledges that Caribbean nations face higher telecommunications costs compared to other regions.
   • CARICOM aims to explore strategies to reduce these costs while maintaining service quality.
3. Taskforce formation:
   • A special taskforce has been appointed to lead the review, comprising:
     • Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis
     • Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada
     • Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados (as CARICOM Chair)
4. Scope of the review:
   • The review will include non-CARICOM territories such as the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, recognizing their significant role in regional telecommunications.
5. Objectives:
   • Ensure fairness to both consumers and providers
   • Foster a competitive telecommunications environment
   • Explore ways to reinvest in and strengthen the Caribbean’s telecommunications infrastructure

This comprehensive review of the telecommunications sector underscores CARICOM’s commitment to addressing the evolving challenges in the digital age and ensuring that the benefits of technological advancements are equitably distributed across the region.