Leading telecom provider Liberty Caribbean has underscored the urgency of forging new public-private partnerships, infrastructure initiatives, and policy frameworks to build a Caribbean that is resilient, inclusive, and gigabit‑capable.
“Today we stand at an inflection point. We have the vision and now we must translate our dialogue into public-private partnerships, joint infrastructure projects, and policy frameworks that will deliver a truly gigabit-enabled Caribbean – one that’s resilient, inclusive, and sustainable by design,” said Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer, Liberty Caribbean.
Smidts delivered the opening address at the 40th Annual CANTO Conference & Trade Exhibition, currently underway at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau, The Bahamas.
Liberty Caribbean is the headline sponsor of the milestone event that has convened leaders from telecom, government, and technology sectors under the unifying theme ‘Towards a Unified and Sustainable Caribbean Gigabit Society’.
“CANTO has been an engine for transformation. It provides us with a forum to collaborate on policy, regulation, investment, and innovation. This is where real progress happens – not in isolation, but in shared dialogue and united action,” added Smidts.
She identified six critical priorities to guide this transformation: ensuring universal gigabit connectivity for education and healthcare; delivering smart, cloud-powered public services; harnessing IoT for hospitality and tourism innovation; developing hurricane-resilient infrastructure; embracing green ICT operations with sustainable networks; and securing equitable digital access for every Caribbean community.
“Together, we will shape the digital strategies that benefit all Caribbean communities – from the most remote isles to the dynamic city centres,” said Smidts.
“Let this fortieth anniversary be more than a milestone. Let it be a launchpad as we step confidently towards a unified and sustainable Caribbean gigabit society. We are stronger island to island, shoreline to shoreline, when we stand together. Thank you to CANTO for four decades of steadfast leadership and to all our industry partners and stakeholders for their unwavering collaboration.”
CANTO is the region’s premier telecoms conference that brings together regional heads of state and government, along with regulators, telecom operators, and other key stakeholders to network, build alliances, review policy, and share best practices as it relates to the regional telecoms sector.
Liberty Caribbean will host several discussions and events during the conference to shine the spotlight on important industry topics including digital sustainability, cybersecurity and the rise of AI, sustainable infrastructure development, strategies for equitable access to broadband services, and empowering an inclusive digital economy.
Featured company speakers include Neda Brown, Senior Director, Regulatory & Government Affairs; Sameer Bhatti, CEO, BTC; Aamir Hussain, SVP, Chief Technology and Product Officer, Liberty Latin America; Shelton Flash, Director, Liberty Business (North Caribbean); Desron Bynoe, VP & General Manager, Barbados; Felipe Ruiz, VP, Information Security, Liberty Latin America; Stephen Price, VP & General Manager, Jamaica; Rhys Campbell, Director, Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation; Carol Robertson, Senior Business Development Partner, Liberty Caribbean; and Darron Turnquest, Director, People, Liberty Caribbean.
CANTO is a non-profit association made up of operators, organizations, companies, and individuals primarily focused on leading the information and communications technology (ICT) sector across the Caribbean region and the Americas.