A sum of US$17.4M will be allocated towards improving the Informa-tion and Communications Techno-logy (ICT) capabilities of more than two hundred communities across the country.
This announcement was made by Prime Minister Mark Phillips while he was delivering the feature address at the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organisations’ (CANTO) Annual General Meeting and mini exhibition yesterday.
“Our Government has continuously given our commitment to ensuring equitable development for residents in hinterland communities and chief among those priorities include access to ICTs. US$17.4M has been earmarked for improving internet connectivity to 200 communities throughout Guyana, which will be rolled out this year,” Phillips stated, according to a release from the Department of Public Information (DPI).
In addition, Phillips noted that 35,000 households in the communities will be presented with an upgrade in solar panels to power their homes.
Such technologies, the Prime Minister said are “instrumental” to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phillips explained that that ICT’s are allowing remote access to work and school and have also forced the country to break barriers that have previously prevented the delivery of more Government services online.
“Prior to 2020, the possibilities of Information and Communication Technologies for transforming our economies were already evident. Now, with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a pressing imperative to ensure the widespread rollout and adoption of ICTs,” Phillips said.
DPI reported that Phillips further noted that Guyana has recognized the “immense” capabilities of ICTs. As such, he said the country, particularly the business sector welcomes the opportunities of advancing telecommunications.
“It was an important step given that the Caribbean Region holds massive potential for growth in the telecoms sector, providing a considerably high contribution to the Region’s Gross Domestic Product considering the markets in other Caribbean countries are relatively liberalised,” Phillips said while adding that CANTO can be a key partner to governments of the region.
According to the release, Phillips stated that the Government is willing to work with stakeholders to ensure that citizens have access to innovative and modern services.
Improved technology
In his address, Phillips also highlighted the Government’s interest in mobile telephones based on satellite technology that can sustainably serve the hinterland and remote populations.
“As I consider the primary focus of this conference; its emphasis on innovation in cyber security and how Caribbean operators are preparing for 5G and cloud services, I look at Guyana’s position and acknowledge that, while we are still to complete considerations relating to 5G assignments and rollouts, our country can still serve as a potential jurisdiction for the location of data centres. It is well-known that to successfully execute the power of 5G, data will need to flow quickly from the end-user to the data centre (and vice versa),” the release quoted Phillips saying.
This, he noted, will see the need for more data centres to host and stream data at “significantly higher speeds, volumes, and lower latencies.”
Phillips stressed that the potential of 5G and its benefits are “fascinating” and can take technology to “new heights” beyond just smartphones.
He explained that it can be applied to multiple industries and high tech devices such as self-driving cars, improved drone technology, smart factories and even in bringing new service paradigms to healthcare.
“My friends, ICTs continue to have a growing impact on, and remain pertinent drivers of globalisation, serving as a major source of competitive advantage, wealth creation and improvement in the quality of life. It is opportunities like these that allow inclusion and convergence of key stakeholders in the telecoms sector which will ensure that our region truly benefits from the prospects that are upon us,” Phillips said.
On the regional level, Phillips said that leaders across the region have called for the elimination of roaming charges in the pursuit of realising a true single market.
As a result, he said they are anticipating a dialogue with operators on how this can be sustainably realized.
As it relates to Guyana, Phillips said that the Government has delivered the business environment through liberalisation and now looks to the private sector of the region, which is the membership of CANTO to deliver with investment, jobs and affordable, innovative services for consumers; as well as a price relief for consumers, particularly amid the pandemic.
He pointed out that while the focus is on enhanced technology, the issue of cyber security is also of great importance.
He said the Government is aware of the security implications of increased reliance on ICTs in many facets of life. This include the implication for confidentiality of personal communications, integrity in key systems such as banking as well as key infrastructure where the technology is enabled.
“Here, too, we look to operators and ICT firms to make suitable investments in securing data in the interest of our citizens. Operators must also look to partner with governments and regulators to develop protocols on how to co-ordinate responses to cyber security incidents,” Phillips said.
