TCI News
Turks and Caicos Delegation Advances National ICT Agenda at 40th Anniversary CANTO Annual Conference
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 23 July 2025 – The Honourable Otis Morris, Minister for Public Safety and Utilities, led the Turks and Caicos Islands (“TCI”) delegation to the 40th Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition of the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organizations (“CANTO”), held from July 13th to 16th, 2025, in Nassau, The Bahamas. He was accompanied by senior officials of the Turks and Caicos Islands Telecommunications Commission (“TCITC”), the statutory body responsible for regulating and guiding the development of the national telecommunications sector.
The delegation’s participation in this high-level conference reaffirmed the Turks and Caicos Islands’ commitment to regional collaboration and policy leadership in the information and communication technology (“ICT”) space. The Telecommunications Commission, as the primary regulator, plays a critical role in promoting digital transformation, ensuring fair competition, expanding infrastructure, and safeguarding consumer interests. Its presence at the conference underscored the importance of regional engagement in shaping resilient, future-ready telecommunications ecosystems.
At the conference, the delegation engaged in a series of bilateral and multilateral discussions aimed at enhancing TCI’s connectivity and regulatory frameworks. Strategic meetings were held with executives from FLOW and Digicel to discuss network expansion and improved service quality, while a pivotal engagement with Ookla, the global leader in broadband analytics, focused on leveraging network intelligence tools to map service disparities across the Islands.
The delegation also took part in technical forums and working sessions that explored best practices in spectrum management, cybersecurity,
rural broadband access, and the development of smart infrastructure. These sessions provided valuable insight into how similarly positioned small island nations are navigating regulatory innovation, public-private partnerships, and digital inclusion.
This year’s CANTO conference, held under the theme “Towards a Unified and Sustainable Caribbean Gigabit Society, “convened more than 700 delegates from 52 countries. Among the keynote speakers were U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr and ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. They, along with the Hon. Philip “Brave” Davis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, emphasized the urgency of closing the regional digital divide and the need for harmonized digital policy.
Established in 1985, CANTO is the region’s premier ICT trade association, serving as a forum for governments, regulators, service providers, and innovators to work collaboratively toward a digitally connected Caribbean. The Turks and Caicos Islands, through the Telecommunications Commission, has long maintained an active and respected presence within CANTO, contributing to policy development and supporting efforts to enhance the digital capabilities of small island developing states.
Reflecting on the conference, Minister Morris remarked:
“Attending this milestone event was both an honour and a timely opportunity to collaborate with regional leaders on the future of telecommunications in the Caribbean. The insights gained on digital equity, investment, and innovation will directly support our mission to deliver future-ready, inclusive, and resilient ICT services to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
He further praised the Telecommunications Commission for its continued leadership and proactive approach to modernizing TCI’s digital infrastructure. “The Commission has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the advancement of the sector, ensuring that Turks and Caicos remains at the forefront of digital transformation in the region,” Minister Morris stated.
The Turks and Caicos Islands delegation returned from the conference equipped with renewed perspectives, valuable partnerships, and practical tools to support the Government’s broader vision of a connected, competitive, and inclusive digital future.
TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response
PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.
Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.
That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.
Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.
He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.
Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.
Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.
Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.
Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.
His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?
PROVIDENCIALES — New commercial Crown Land applications are facing a six-month pause as the Turks and Caicos Islands Government takes inventory of its holdings.
During Cabinet meetings held July 15 and 16, an immediate six-month moratorium was approved on the acceptance, processing
and approval of new applications for commercial Crown Land grants, leases and allocations.
The pause will remain in place pending completion of the Crown Land Inventory Review. Cabinet’s summary did not state what prompted the review or indicate whether availability of commercial Crown Land is a concern.
The two-day meeting also advanced major consumer legislation. Cabinet approved the National Fair Competition Policy 2026 and drafting instructions for a Fair Competition Ordinance, moving TCI toward stronger consumer protection and fair competition rules.
In Grand Turk, Cabinet approved rezoning land in the North West Suburbs from low-density to medium-density residential use to facilitate a new apartment development.
Cabinet also advanced fisheries reforms, water legislation allowing private and public-private investment, minerals legislation and appointments across tourism, health and finance.
Progress toward establishing a TCI Credit Union was also noted.
PROVIDENCIALES — Major development projects outside Providenciales received Cabinet attention on July 8, with Government approving agreements connected to the redevelopment of Dellis Cay and a resort development in North Caicos.
Cabinet approved a Development Agreement between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Desarrollos Hotelco DC Ltd. and
Desarrollos Hotelco Astoria Ltd. for the redevelopment of Dellis Cay.
The long-discussed private island development sits between Providenciales and North Caicos and its return to Cabinet signals another step toward redevelopment.
Cabinet also approved amendments to an agreement involving SPR LND Ltd. (Royal Reef) and TCIG Development Agreement for a resort/hotel development in North Caicos.
Other decisions included approval of the First Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2026 for onward transmission and the appointment of Cindy Ewing as Chair of the Invest TCI Board, effective August 1 for three years.
Cabinet also noted consultation outcomes concerning changes to business licensing, approved professional membership expenses for qualifying Telecommunications Commission staff and approved advice relating to the Interim Clinical and Estates Services PPP.
The July 8 meeting was chaired by Acting Governor Anya Williams.
Photo Credit: Royal Reef (Keith)
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