On Wednesday, January 28th the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) officially launched the findings of its Digital Inclusion Survey, providing critical insights into the state of access, affordability, usage, and digital skills across its Contracting States.
The hybrid launch event was held in Saint Lucia at the Bay Gardens Hotel, via Zoom and streamed live via ECTEL’s Facebook and YouTube channels, bringing together policymakers, regulators, service providers, industry stakeholders, development partners, and members of the public from across the region.
The Digital Inclusion Survey was conducted to better understand how individuals and households across ECTEL’s Contracting States access and use digital technologies, and to identify barriers that may prevent full participation in the digital economy. The findings highlight both encouraging progress and persistent challenges.
Speaking at the launch, ECTEL’s Managing Director, Mr. David Cox, emphasized that the publication of the survey represented a significant milestone for the Directorate. He underscored that ECTEL and the NTRCs must rely on data for regulatory analysis and intervention and not on anecdotal observations.
The survey was conducted in collaboration with the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission and the World Bank’s Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP) and implemented by Data Point Solutions Inc.
In her insightful presentation, ECTEL’s Director of Economics and Finance, Ms. Cheryl Hector Fontenelle provided a snapshot of some of the key findings of the report which examines issues including access to ICT devices; affordability of ICT services; levels of digital literacy and skills, barriers to internet use and Quality of Service and Quality of Experience.
Mr. Gregory Shillingford, Chairman of ECTEL’s Board of Directors, urged stakeholders to use the insights from the survey to inform the development of inclusive policies and partnerships that ensure individuals, businesses, and communities can fully participate and benefit from the digital economy.
A total of 7,948 individuals and 3,525 households were interviewed in the Contracting States. The Directorate expressed its gratitude to the survey respondents whose participation made the undertaking a success.