The 41st Annual Conference & Trade Exhibition hosted by the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organizations (CANTO) has wrapped up its four-day convening in the region, bringing a clear, actionable message that the Caribbean must advance its digital journey far beyond just establishing basic connectivity.
Drawn together for the event were cross-sector stakeholders spanning senior government leaders, independent regulatory bodies, regional and global telecommunications providers, leading technology firms and community representatives, all gathered to align on a shared vision for the Caribbean’s digital transformation and long-term economic competitiveness. Themed “Elevate the Caribbean: From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness,” the annual gathering centered on the urgent need for sustained cross-sector investment, continuous technological innovation, and collaborative action to help the region unlock the full economic and social value of its expanding digital infrastructure.
Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Caribbean – the parent company of major regional telecom operators Flow, BTC and Liberty Business – emphasized that while widespread connectivity has already driven profound positive change across the Caribbean, regional stakeholders cannot pause their progress at this milestone.
“Connectivity has transformed the Caribbean, but our ambition cannot stop there,” Smidts stated, noting that the next chapter of the region’s digital evolution will depend on far closer coordination between public and private sectors, regulators, industry players and local communities. “We cannot build a globally competitive digital Caribbean in isolation. It will take the courage to invest, the willingness to innovate and a shared commitment to turn ambition into action.”
Beyond overarching calls for collaboration, conference sessions delved into key priority areas that will define the region’s digital trajectory, including the rapidly growing influence of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks and cloud computing. Attendees also highlighted the critical importance of strengthening cybersecurity defenses, expanding access to digital skills training for regional workforces, and building more resilient digital infrastructure that can withstand disruptions from climate events and other threats.
As the event’s headline sponsor for the fifth consecutive year, Liberty Caribbean took a leading role in shaping discussions across all core topics, from cybersecurity and 5G rollout to broad-based digital transformation, cross-sector partnership building, and the shifting future of work in an increasingly digital regional economy. The company leveraged the high-profile platform to engage directly with government officials, regulators and industry peers, reiterating that ongoing, open collaboration is the only path to successfully advancing the Caribbean’s shared digital development agenda.