Broadcasting sector in ECTEL member states has grown, but faces challenges – Charles

The managing director of ECTEL, Embert Charles, says that the growth of the broadcasting sector in the Caribbean will depend in part on the introduction of regulatory measures, which are integrated, independent, and safeguard against anti-competitive {{more}}integration.

Charles added that any new legislation for the broadcasting sector must make provision for universal service obligations related to geographical coverage, regional content and national emergency broadcasting.

Addressing broadcasters at the Annual General Assembly of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), the ECTEL managing director stated that the broadcasting sector in the ECTEL member states has grown exponentially, but there are many challenges which have resulted from the technological convergence in communications. These challenges include provision of new content related services by the traditional telecommunications service providers, and the change in impact of additional content from social media platforms.

The members of the CBU, who met in Grenada August 17 – 21, 2015, discussed, among other issues, digital transition and the convergence of broadcasting and telecommunications. Presenters from regional agencies, including the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and the Caribbean Office of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in Barbados also shared perspectives on the topic.

Broadcasters were advised to prepare for the impact of the digital switchover and the current high levels of advocacy by the telecommunications providers for the reallocation of additional spectrum resources from broadcasting services to international mobile services.

The 46th annual meeting of the CBU brought together public and private sector broadcasters from the wider Caribbean region. Prime Minister of Grenada Dr Keith Mitchell also addressed the official opening of the assembly. The Grenada prime minister also officiated at the induction ceremony of Rose Willock (Montserrat) and the late Terrence Holder (Guyana) into the hall of fame of the CBU.