In a recent research article by Ookla, a global connection speed monitor, an updated evaluation of broadband connectivity in the Caribbean was provided.
According to Ookla, Trinidad and Tobago (TT) ranked at the top for the first quarter of 2024 with a median download speed of 110 Mbps for fixed broadband. Following TT were Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, with both countries logging median speeds higher than 100 Mbps. TT’s median speed for May was even higher at 122 Mbps.
On the other end of the spectrum, Ookla’s Q1 2024 rankings placed Antigua and Barbuda (35 Mbps), Sint Maarten (25 Mbps), and Cuba (2.7 Mbps) at the bottom of the speed rankings for fixed broadband.
Ookla also noted the impact of Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellite internet offering on speed differentials, with the US Virgin Islands showing a significant increase in median download speeds thanks to the new technology.
Despite not dropping in speed locally, TT has fallen four spots in the global rankings to 91 due to global speed improvements. The Telecommunications Authority (TATT) reported that fixed broadband internet penetration stands at 96 out of every 100 households, indicating a yearly increase of almost four percent.
While mobile internet penetration was twice the rate of fixed wireless in 2022, TATT has been less specific in reporting mobile broadband subscriptions. With the dominance of mobile technologies in the telecommunications sector, it is crucial for TATT to focus on evaluating and planning for future digital growth in the country.
Understanding the importance of mobile broadband in economic development, TATT should prioritize clearer and more frequent reporting to drive beneficial changes and growth in the sector. By assessing the current state of mobile broadband in TT and planning for the future, the country can capitalize on the opportunities and benefits presented by increased connectivity.
