Grenada’s PM wants CARICOM roaming charges eliminated

(CMR) Grenada's Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell, has renewed calls to eliminate roaming charges within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The matter which was discussed at a special meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development last year was again brought up by Mitchell on Wednesday.

Mitchell made the call as the regional group moved one step closer to that initiative by signing the St George's Declaration on Roaming with two of the telecommunication providers in the Caribbean, Digicel and Cable and Wireless, at the Trade Centre in Grenada.

“Today…is a day of immense significance for the Caribbean Community. It signals a period of extensive collaboration between CARICOM and two of the major telecommunications operators within the region. At the same time, today signals the beginning of new opportunities for the region, opportunities that we should readily embrace,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell, who has lead responsibility for Science and Technology within the quasi CARICOM Cabinet, said that regional governments have long recognized the value of collaboration and cooperation as core principles of regional integration.

“It is in this spirit that regional leaders agreed in 2014 to establish a CARICOM Single Information Communication Technology (ICT) Space, having recognized the critical role that information and communication technology play in our social, cultural and economic development,” he said.

The Grenada Prime Minister said that regional leaders approved the CARICOM Single ICT Space roadmap at their summit in 2017. It was envisaged that early adoption by governments would lead to accelerated and widespread use of ICT across all sectors.

“Progress has not been as fast as we would have liked, but this interim solution gives renewed impetus to our efforts to advance key aspects of the Single ICT Space.

“We are encouraged by the milestone being recorded today as we sign The Declaration of St George's – Towards the Reduction of Intra CARICOM Roaming Charges. However, our eyes are set firmly on the ultimate goal, which is to achieve the total elimination of roaming charges within CARICOM.”

Mitchell said that the declaration means that Caribbean citizens will have options to use their mobile phones as they move freely within the CARICOM at reduced costs.

“Our citizens will be able to travel without the fear of incurring the normal exorbitant charges for voice and data usage as they conduct business or keep in touch with loved ones. We firmly believe that this critical reduction in roaming charges will help drive digital commerce, regional integration and economic development, and will have an even greater impact when total elimination is achieved,” he explained.

The current unpredictable cost of mobile roaming deters CARICOM citizens from using their mobile phones as they travel throughout the region.