Caribbean Tech Pulse: Budgets, Disputes, and Digital Futures Shape Week of October 26, 2025
The week ending October 26, 2025, saw significant developments across the Caribbean in the realms of technology and telecommunications. From budget allocations and policy directions in Trinidad and Tobago to industrial relations in The Bahamas, legal battles over infrastructure in the Cayman Islands, and advancements in public digital access in Jamaica and Grenada, the region continues its push towards digital transformation.
Trinidad and Tobago Charts Digital Course Amidst Budgetary Balancing Act
Trinidad and Tobago’s new government, led by the UNC, presented its 2025-2026 national budget, which navigates the challenges of balancing previous PNM administration initiatives with its own forward-looking strategies. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo indicated that while external factors limit radical shifts in technology policy, the budget signals a commitment to digital transformation. Significant allocations are directed towards hardware and infrastructure within the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP), with IT spending forming a substantial portion. Key initiatives include the modernization of revenue collection divisions, the recruitment of ICT personnel, and the planned rollout of a secure digital identification system. The budget also references the completion of the ‘Connected Arima (Smart Town)’ project and aims to enhance efficiency through electronic health records, smart classrooms, and real-time policing systems. Despite a lack of specific detail on some digital transformation projects, the emphasis on innovation, education, and technology development remains a declared priority for the twin-island nation.
Bahamas Telecommunications Company Navigates Union Grievances
The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) found itself addressing ongoing grievances from its employee unions, with representatives from the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) and the Bahamas Communications and Public Managers Union (BCPMU) meeting with Prime Minister Philip Davis KC. The unions voiced concerns regarding management practices, particularly the termination of five employees, which BTC maintains were conducted with cause after thorough investigations and in compliance with labor laws. Beyond personnel issues, the unions have also raised alarms about the alleged migration of BTC’s cellular network to foreign jurisdictions and the presence of foreign engineers without work permits, suggesting these actions are part of a broader strategy by parent company Liberty Latin America to diminish Bahamian jobs and undermine unionized staff. BTC has reaffirmed its commitment to constructive dialogue and resolving these matters through established industrial relations channels.
Cayman Islands: Broadband Firms Clash Over Cable Access in Court
In the Cayman Islands, a protracted legal dispute between broadband providers Flow and C3 Pure Fibre continued in court, centered on access to crucial fibre optic cable infrastructure and a cable landing station. C3 initiated legal action after Flow allegedly obstructed its plans to integrate a sub-duct through Flow’s existing infrastructure, a move previously supported by the local telecommunications regulator, OfReg. Flow is seeking to overturn an OfReg ruling that mandated space allocation for C3 equipment and found Flow’s actions unreasonable. The core of the dispute involves the interpretation of agreements concerning sub-duct sizes, access pricing, and the timely completion of infrastructure sharing work. This legal battle highlights the complexities of infrastructure access and competition within the Caribbean’s telecommunications sector.
Grenada Launches Enhanced Online Customer Platform
Grenada Electricity Services Ltd. (Grenlec) took a significant step in enhancing customer convenience by launching its new online platform, MyAccount.Grenlec.com. This digital initiative allows customers to manage their electricity services more efficiently, including paying bills directly online, accessing up to three years of billing history, updating contact details, and submitting service requests. The upgrade signifies Grenlec’s commitment to delivering a modern, greener, and more accessible customer experience, empowering users with greater control over their accounts.
Jamaica Boosts Public Connectivity with Kingston Waterfront Wi-Fi and Future Tech Vision
Jamaica continued its drive for digital inclusion with the official launch of a free, high-speed public Wi-Fi facility at the Kingston Waterfront. This initiative, powered by the Universal Service Fund (USF) under the Connect JA Public Wi-Fi Programme, aims to provide reliable internet access to communities across the island. The waterfront hotspot, stretching between the Bank of Jamaica and the Craft Market, is part of a growing network designed to bridge the digital divide and ensure equitable access to online services.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness articulated a forward-thinking vision for Jamaica’s future, stating that robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) will become integral parts of daily life by 2030. He emphasized that embracing advanced technologies, coupled with upskilling the workforce for higher-order tasks, is crucial for economic growth and diversification. The government’s strategy involves fostering AI literacy from an early age, with initiatives like the National AI Lab at the University of Technology (UTECH) forming a cornerstone of this transformative agenda.
Halo BPO Expands Remote Workforce in Belize
In Belize, Halo BPO announced its recruitment of remote sales agents, offering an opportunity for Belizeans to join the growing digital workforce from home. The company is seeking experienced sales professionals with a minimum internet speed requirement and is offering competitive hourly pay, commissions, and weekly payments. This move underscores the increasing trend of remote work opportunities within the Caribbean’s business process outsourcing (BPO) sector.
Regional Outlook
Beyond these specific country developments, the week also saw continued monitoring of Hurricane Melissa, which strengthened to a Category 5 storm, posing a significant threat to Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events and the importance of resilient communication infrastructure. The overall technology news from the Caribbean reflects a region actively pursuing digital advancement, economic diversification, and improved public services amidst diverse economic and infrastructural challenges.