TRELAWNY, Jamaica — The Spectrum Management Authority of Jamaica (SMA) and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of the British Virgin Islands (TRC BVI) have partnered to secure the secondment of two SMA telecommunications engineers to the TRC in an initiative designed to strengthen spectrum operations in the BVI.

In a statement issued Wednesday, both agencies said the initiative, announced during the 20th Conference of the Organization of Caribbean Utility Regulators (OOCUR), demonstrates a practical approach to deepening regional cooperation as Caribbean regulators respond to rising demand for wireless services, emerging technologies and the transition to 5G.

The collaboration was highlighted in a joint presentation titled, “Strengthening Our Regional Connections: TRC British Virgin Islands and Spectrum Management Authority of Jamaica Collaboration”, delivered Tuesday at the conference, which runs from April 27 to May 1, 2026, at the Ocean Coral Spring Convention Centre in Falmouth.

The presentation was led by Dr Maria Myers Hamilton, managing director of the SMA, and Guy Lester Malone, chief executive officer of the TRC. They outlined how the partnership will enhance spectrum operations in the BVI by building technical capacity, improving monitoring and inspection capabilities, and facilitating knowledge transfer between the two organisations.

According to the release, the initiative is particularly significant for small island developing states facing increasingly complex regulatory demands.

“This partnership reflects the practical value of regional collaboration. By sharing technical expertise, strengthening institutional capacity and learning from each other’s experiences, small island regulators can better prepare for the future of telecommunications and spectrum management,” Hamilton shared.

Malone added, “For small island states, harmonisation is not just beneficial; it is necessary. Our markets may be small, but our regulatory challenges are complex and increasingly interconnected. Collaboration with the SMA allows us to strengthen our technical capability while contributing to a broader Caribbean model for regulatory cooperation.”

The secondment initiative is expected to support several key deliverables, including spectrum monitoring guidelines, field measurement reports, 5G readiness assessments, mobile network coverage and quality-of-service assessments, training, knowledge transfer, and final recommendations to guide future regulatory action.