Caribbean Telecommunications Union

Public Private Partnerships for ICT

Access and Expansion Presented by:

Bernadette Lewis Secretary General

Caribbean Telecommunications Union

History of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union

• 1989: Established the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to be the inter-governmental telecommunications policy instrument for the Caribbean

• 2003: Defined a new strategic direction to address issues of information and communications technologies (ICT)

• 2004: Expanded Membership to include Private sector organisations

CTU Mission and MembersMission

To create an environment in partnership with members to optimize

Returns from ICT resources for the benefit of stakeholders

Country MembersAnguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize,

British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada,

Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St. Maarten, St.

Vincent and The Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Turks and

Caicos

Organisation/Institution MembersBureau Telecommunicatie en Post (Curacao), International Amateur Radio Union (Region2), Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad

and Tobago, Digicel (Trinidad & Tobago), Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority

CTU’s Mandate• ICT Policy Formulation• ICT Capacity Development• Representation at International fora• Industry Watch

These are achieved through strategic partnerships

The Developing World’s Dilemma• Development is not something conferred on

us. It is something we do for ourselves.

• AID does not necessarily foster development – it often breeds dependency.

• We have no money, therefore we must think, research, plan and above all ACT

A Model for Public Private People Partnerships

The People Model

• Cooperative approaches (Credit Unions)• People contributing to a cause• Promoting innovation• Benefits clear to all• Understanding needs, what is available• Education to build awareness of ICT and

how they could be leveraged• Monetary gains

The Service Integrator• Gains insight into communities’ goals and

aspirations (Consultations)• Designs appropriate systems (ICT, Power,

Education and Training)• Develops RFPs• Evaluates tenders and recommends

suppliers• Manages project Implementation• Measures impact

Final Thoughts

•It’s not just about money•It’s about collaboration•It’s about changing mindsets and

innovating•Research and educate •Plan to achieve appropriate goals •Act, review, adjust, Act

Thank you

Shaping Caribbean Communications

CTU www.ctu.int