Questions have been raised about the state of Antigua and Barbuda’s telecommunications industry following observations of Starlink installations around Government House during preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
In an opinion article, writer Yves Ephraim questions why Starlink equipment appeared to be deployed for the international gathering despite the presence of the state-owned telecommunications provider, APUA Inet.
Ephraim argues that the situation raises questions about the capacity of the country’s existing telecommunications infrastructure and the government’s approach to competition within the industry.
The writer also criticises what he describes as restrictions preventing other telecommunications providers, including Digicel and Flow, from deploying fibre-optic infrastructure.
According to his argument, such restrictions limit competition and could contribute to higher internet costs and reduced service options for consumers.
The article further questions whether APUA Inet is adequately positioned to meet the growing demand for high-speed internet services, particularly during major international events.
Ephraim suggests that greater competition could encourage improvements in service delivery while providing consumers with more affordable choices.
He also argues that the government’s approach to protecting the state-owned provider could have unintended consequences for the wider telecommunications market.
The writer is calling for the government to reconsider its telecommunications policies and allow other providers greater freedom to invest in modern fibre-optic technology.
The article represents the author’s opinion and allegations; its claims about government policy, provider restrictions and market performance should be independently verified before being presented as established facts.
