PM Pushes for SMART Cities at CANTO

MIAMI, FLORIDA – The Caribbean region has the potential to take advantage of the digital revolution and “Smart Cities,” according to Prime Minister Philip Davis, who recently made the case at the CANTO annual conference and trade exhibition enabling the digital revolution.

To that end, PM Davis asked for the support of Caribbean CEOs and Executives to create a different and better future for the region.

“Broadband penetration in our region is only 50% let us commit to expanding the penetration of broadband in our region as a matter of social priority. This will assist in true diversification of our economies as many thousands of new good paying jobs could be created with the deployment of affordable reliable broadband,” Davis says.

Davis issued the challenge, inviting stakeholders to work together to make universal broadband a reality.

“Work with us — work with policy-makers — to make broadband universal, affordable and reliable for all of our region’s people. Impress upon the decision-makers in your companies the urgency of reducing the digital divide.”

Earlier in his communication, PM Davis outlined what he called “SMART cities,” complete with 5G technology, expanded access to always-on connectivity, and cashless ecosystems.

This comes as The Bahamas is putting forth Stephen Bereaux, former CEO of the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) for election as the Director of the International Telecommunications Union’s Telecommunication Development Bureau.

Davis describes Bereaux as, “undoubtedly the most qualified person to take on the mantle of BDT Director, having been the close partner of the current Director Doreen Bogdan Martin in achieving arguably the most successful term of leadership for the Bureau, ever.”

That vote will take place at the ITU’s conference in Bucharest, Romania in September 2022.