WIDESPREAD ACCESS TO ONLINE SERVICES ARE ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNMENT'S GOAL TO BUILD A KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY.
As part of the Government of Saint Lucia’s commitment to advancing digital transformation, stakeholder consultations are currently underway from September 9 to 13, 2024, focusing on the legal and regulatory environment for broadband services. This initiative is one of the key activities under the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP) and is part of the broader effort to develop a National Broadband Policy, Strategy, and Action Plan/Framework.
The primary objective of this initiative is to ensure equitable and widespread access to high-speed broadband services across Saint Lucia. This effort is crucial for the Government’s national goal of building a knowledge-based economy, positioning the telecommunications sector as a key driver of economic growth, job creation, and poverty alleviation.
So far, two technical stakeholder consultations have been conducted. The current session, however, is centered on the legal and regulatory environment.
Key objectives of this week’s consultations include:
1. Discussing the findings of the initial legislative assessment and guiding recommendations for updating current laws and regulations or drafting new ones to bridge gaps in broadband infrastructure and usage.
2. Assessing Saint Lucia’s current policy framework to ensure it supports growth in the ICT sector.
3. Examining the suitability of the country’s legislative framework to tackle emerging technological challenges such as artificial intelligence (AI), e-commerce, data protection, and financial transactions.
4. Identifying any missing regulations, especially in areas like service authorization or licensing, infrastructure sharing, spectrum management, interconnection, universal access, market studies, and market dominance.
The ongoing consultations will culminate in the development of a Regulatory Instrument Diagnostic Report, which will outline recommendations for Saint Lucia's legal and regulatory landscape. These changes are vital to creating a strong foundation for the expansion of broadband services and for fostering innovation and competitiveness in the digital economy.
The Government of Saint Lucia remains dedicated to enhancing digital inclusion, supporting a robust telecommunications sector, and creating opportunities for all citizens through the CARDTP. Further consultations with stakeholders will continue as part of the broader digital transformation agenda.