NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) – Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell is calling on the Caribbean to take advantage of the existing environment to reimagine and accelerate the digital future of the region.

“This gathering isn’t just a celebration of four decades of collaboration; it’s a moment to take stock of how far we’ve come and to ask bold questions about where we go next,” said Mitchell, who has lead responsibility within the Caribbean Community (Caricom) quasi- cabinet with responsibility for science and technology.

He told delegates attending the 40th annual conference of Trinidad-based Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organisations (CANTO) that building a single Caricom Information Communication and Technology (ICT) space will harmonise regulations, enable seamless data flows, and protect the region’s collective sovereignty.

“Only by speaking with one voice can we bridge fragmented markets and unlock the full promise of a gigabit enabled Caribbean,” he told the conference, which is being held under the theme “Towards a Unified and Sustainable Gigabit Society,” and ends on Thursday.

Mitchell urged heads of government, industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to seize this milestone moment to reimagine and accelerate the digital future of the region, drawing upon on his dual responsibilities as Grenada’s head of government and Caricom’s ICT leader.

He said Grenada’s national strategy spreads across five pillars – digital government, resilient infrastructure, secure digital identity, a thriving digital economy, and universal inclusion – indicating that progress in Grenada is inseparable from regional unity.

Mitchell also highlighted global digital trends and emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, 5G, and blockchain that are reshaping economies today and not tomorrow.

“The question is not if we will participate in this revolution, but how – and on whose terms,” he said, identifying urgent priorities such as ensuring satellite connectivity for disaster resilience, establishing a federated cloud that respects regional data laws, embedding trust through digital ID and fraud prevention, and embracing open Radio Access Networks (RAN) and interoperable 5G rollouts.

“Governments cannot deliver this transformation alone. The private sector must move beyond service provision to become genuine partners in policy, infrastructure investment, and inclusive growth. Your success is the success of our societies, and we must share responsibility for expanding access, sharing infrastructure, and upskilling our youth,” he said.

The conference has brought together more than 700 delegates from 52 countries and CANTO chairman, Dr Delreo Newman, reminded the audience that the Port of Spain-based entity was not formed to watch the evolution of Caribbean telecommunications.

“We were born to lead it, from analog to AI, we have powered healthcare, commerce, and education across the region. But our work remains unfinished,” Newman said, noting that 15 million Caribbean citizens still lack mobile broadband, and four million households remain without fibre, even as regional data demand is projected to grow fivefold by 2030.

He said that four major global content platforms collectively generated more than US$11.5 billion in revenue from Caribbean users in 2024, yet their direct contribution to regional network investment remains limited.

He said that this imbalance must be addressed and reiterated CANTO’s view that digital infrastructure should be a shared responsibility among all who benefit from it.

Newman said CANTO will continue working with Caricom’s private-sector partners and regulators to advance balanced digital policy.

Chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Brendan Carr, whose presence marked the agency’s first official presence at CANTO since 2018, said “we are committed to working with our Caribbean partners to strengthen ties between our networks, our economies, and our people”.

Carr noted that telecom is at an inflection point due to AI, low-Earth orbit satellite broadband, and spectrum reform, pointing to how US investment in 5G and policy agility helped drive down broadband prices and expand service reach.

Carr also called for shared priorities — network security, spectrum harmonisation, and infrastructure expansion.

Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said that connectivity is not just about speed but about opportunity and resilience. “Connectivity is economic empowerment. It is societal resilience. It is saving lives,” she said, adding that ”as the digital tide rises, let us make sure it lifts every island, every community, and every life”.

Bodan-Martin highlighted ITU support in the Caribbean, including school connectivity via Giga, digital ID systems, mobile financial services security, and emergency telecoms preparedness.

CANTO’s Secretary General, Teresa Wankin, urged delegates to treat the conference as both a forum and a catalyst.

“When you commit to CANTO, whether by attending, exhibiting, or sponsoring, you are not just showing up. You are joining a movement that is shaping the future of our region,” she said, highlighting a forward-looking agenda featuring AI-powered networks, federated cloud infrastructure, and fintech convergence.