CARICOM is seeking to address issues of telecommunications roaming charges

CARICOM is seeking to address the issue of telecommunications roaming charges with the aim of getting rid of the charges altogether.

On Monday, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said that during a recent meeting of CARICOM, heads of governments noted that a single Information and Communications Technology (ICT) space is one of the key inputs to digital transformation and to building technological resilience in the region.

“They identified the removal of roaming rates within the community (CARICOM) as a key component of that initiative. You know, we had addressed that within the OECS, but we are now talking about the Caribbean Community,” said Gonsalves.

He noted that heads of government welcomed the efforts of Grenadian Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, the lead head of government for science and technology. Gonsalves said that Mitchell along with other colleagues are advocating for the telecommunications operators to institute a modest fixed roaming rate for CARICOM nationals.

“The rate would include local and regional voice calls, data and overtime will include more services,” said Gonsalves.

He revealed that heads of government agreed that the Prime Minister Mitchell will conduct negotiations towards the elimination of the roaming rates.