Guyana’s digitization plans – especially for hinterland communities and building entrepreneurship – will be boosted through the CONDOSAT (CARISAT) initiative which aims at enhancing satellite connectivity within CARICOM Mem-ber States, Prime Minister Mark Phillips yesterday said.
This country and several other Caribbean nations are poised to be linked up to a satellite network for the secure sharing of confidential data, as part of a European Union-backed Digital Alliance for Latin America and the Carib-bean, officials said.
“Guyana embraces the potential of Project CONDOSAT (CARISAT) and welcomes the opportunity to explore its capacity to further our national and regional goals,” Phillips yesterday told the launch of the project here and first round of technical meetings being facilitated by the European Union and held at residence of EU Ambassador Rene van Nes, in Georgetown.
The Prime Minister said that as government plans ahead, it remain committed to expanding efforts and has set a number of goals to achieve by the end of this year for the technology, which includes ensuring that 38 remaining communities under its ICT initiative receive internet connectivity.
Plans are on stream to also train an additional 10,000 residents in digital literacy, with a focus on youth, women, and indigenous populations, enhance e-government services to provide streamlined access to essential services and support ICT-based entrepreneurship through micro-grants and business development initiatives, all of which the collaboration with project CARISAT will help to achieve.
“The Technical Com-mittee will serve as the backbone of this initiative, guiding its development with precision and foresight. Its mission will be clear: to assess the region’s satellite connectivity needs for the decade ahead; to determine how best to integrate satellite technology into critical public institutions; to examine the legal, financial, and technical frameworks that will sustain this effort; and to lay the groundwork for a shared space infrastructure that strengthens the autonomy and resilience of CARICOM Member States,” Phillips said.
This committee will also, he noted, “look beyond immediate connectivity concerns.” It will explore new opportunities—how satellite capabilities can support innovation, how Hispasat’s expertise can help nurture start-ups and new industries, and how regional universities can cultivate a workforce skilled in space technology and digital security. “These ambitions are the foundation of a future where CARICOM nations do not merely consume technology but play a role in shaping its development. Through its work, the committee will ensure that Project CONDOSAT (CARISAT) is a transformative force that expands access, fosters economic growth, and builds the infrastructure for a more connected and self-sufficient Caribbean.”
The initiative is spearheaded by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) in collaboration with Spanish satellite telecommunications operator Hispasat which owns and operates a fleet of high quality satellites globally.
MOU
In addition to Phillips who is currently performing the functions of Presi-dent, yesterday’s opening saw contributions from van Nes, from Secretary General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union Rodney Taylor, President of Hispasat Pedro Duque and Non-Resident Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Guyana Cristina Perez Gutierrez.
Phillips said that Guy-ana has long recognized the transformative potential of satellite technology in reaching underserved communities, and it remain fully committed to open dialogue, regional collaboration, and advancing technological inclusion for all.
Evidence of this commitment to not only this country but the region, Phillips said is seen with President Irfaan Ali’s presence and support at the signing of the Memoran-dum of Understanding between the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and Hispasat.
“Through this agreement, Hispasat has pledged to expand satellite connectivity across CARICOM Member States, marking a pivotal step toward closing the digital gap and ensuring that all Caribbean citizens, regardless of location, have access to the opportunities of the digital age. Both Hispasat and the CTU share a vision of leveraging satellite technology to empower communities, enhance economic opportunities, and foster greater digital inclusion across the region,” he said.
“The launch of Project CONDOSAT (CARISAT) builds upon these commitments, strengthening our collective efforts to create a more connected and technologically advanced Caribbean. As we embark on this journey, Guyana stands ready to engage in meaningful partnerships that drive progress and uplift communities through innovation and connectivity,” he added.
The Prime Minister reasoned that digital divide is a matter of opportunity and that reliable and accessible Internet service is essential for education, healthcare, commerce, and governance.
“Without it, communities—particularly those in remote and underserved regions—remain at a disadvantage. Guyana understands this challenge firsthand, and we have made tremendous strides in addressing it as part of an aggressive connectivity agenda undertaken by the PPP/C Administration since taking office in 2020,” he asserted.
It is to this end and in pursuit of a digitally connected and inclusive Guyana, he said that the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) has embarked on an extensive agenda to expand connectivity and modernise service delivery.
“Guided by the ICT Masterplan 2030, our Government has worked tirelessly to ensure that the benefits of digital transformation reach all citizens, particularly those in hinterland, remote, and riverain communities. Since the rollout of the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) internet project in July 2024, we have successfully connected 225 of our targeted 253 communities (89% completed), bringing high-speed internet to over 128,000 residents, including all targeted villages in Regions 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9. We aim to complete this project by mid-2025. Additionally, through our WiFiGY programme, free public internet has expanded exponentially, with a total of 1,091 WiFiGY locations across the country. Hinterland bandwidth has seen a 300-fold improvement compared to 2020, ensuring that no region is left behind,” he informed.
“To further bolster connectivity, our fibre-optic network has grown significantly, expanding from 187 km in 2020 to 700 km in 2024 across six regions. This infrastructure directly supports key public institutions such as schools, health centres, and police stations, facilitating improved service delivery and access to digital resources,” he added.
Giving an update on what has been achieved, he said, “Through the ICT Access and eServices for Hinterland, Poor, and Remote Communities Project—implemented with the support of the UNDP and aligned with our Low Carbon Development Strategy—we have made substantial progress: Infrastructure Development: 153 ICT hubs have been established, 126 of which are fully operational and supported by sustainable energy solutions. Connectivity Expansion: 126 communities have been equipped with high-speed LEO internet, transforming access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.”
He added, “Community Empowerment: Over 1,156 residents, including ICT Hub managers, technicians, and solar specialists, have been trained to ensure long-term sustainability. Economic Development: Local businesses and artisans are leveraging e-commerce platforms, fostering economic growth in previously isolated regions.”
EU Ambassador van Nes said that the initiative will allow Guyana to “participate in a satellite that will guarantee its integral sovereignty in terms of telecommunications…initiatives like this one will strengthen our partnership between the Caribbean, Guyana and the European Union”.
The European envoy noted that one of the EU’s main global support mechanisms though its GLOBAL GATEWAY initiative is digitalization and it is because of the impact this can have on improving lives of persons everywhere.
In Guyana, and through a forest co-operation agreement, the European Union assists with a digital tracking system for this country’s timber. It is only one of the many ways the EU has shown of how digitization can help in this country’s development.
van Nes yesterday pointed out how difficult it is for anyone to operate today without digitization as and “more is coming” for which will help in Guyana’s transformation. Think of communicating with your friends and loved ones abroad or also giving access to telemedicine in remote communities in this beautiful country. All this is happening already and the opportunities that AI (Artificial Intelligence) offers are just unfolding,” he said
The EU-LAC Digital Alliance was also singled out, as he listed the benefits which ranged from promoting a wide range of digital issues, “including digital policy dialogue, internet governance, data governance, infrastructure, connectivity, security, data protection, artificial intelligence and other new emerging digital technologies, skills development, technology, entrepreneurship and innovation, digital trade, and space-related activities such as Copernicus Earth observation data and Galileo/EGNOS satellite navigation applications and services.”
“In this regard, the Alliance will explore cooperation with the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency. Knowledge transfer and exchange on digital citizenship, digitization of public services and registries, digital identity, electronic signatures and related interoperability will also be pursued,” van Nes said.
Highest performance
For his part, President of Hispasat Pedro Duque assured that with his company, this country and the region are assured of “the latest kind and highest performance of satellite quality”. A video was also played to show the services offered by the company.
On its website, Hispasat, says that it offers broadband and satellite connectivity solutions that include Internet access, mobility and extension of cellular networks, as well as other value-added proposals to governments, corporations and operators of telecommunications in America, Europe and North Africa. “Hispasat, made up of companies with a presence both in Spain and in North and South America, where its Brazilian subsidiary Hispamar is located, is one of the world’s leading companies by revenue in its sector and the main communications bridge between Europe and America,” the company said.
Secretary General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union Rodney Taylor said that the CTU will work to ensure when there is an agreement that nothing is spared in seeing enhanced connectivity across the Caribbean and the bridging of the digital divide.
