Background:

The Caribbean region’s digital transformation is heavily reliant on robust and resilient telecommunications infrastructure, with submarine fibre optic cables forming the critical backbone. These cables provide essential connectivity for economic activity, social development, and critical services. However, the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters, including hurricanes, earthquakes, and submarine landslides, poses a significant threat to the stability and reliability of these vital networks.

Recognizing the global importance of submarine cable resilience, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) have established an international advisory body on this issue. Recently, in February 2025, the Nigerian Government hosted a successful meeting in Abuja, bringing together global stakeholders to address these challenges.

Building upon this global momentum, the CTU and CANTO are convening a regional meeting of Caribbean stakeholders to specifically address the unique challenges and opportunities related to submarine fibre optic cable resilience within the Caribbean context.

Objectives:

This meeting aims to:

This meeting aims to:

1. 1. Review the existing submarine fibre optic cable systems in the Caribbean:
   • Assess the current state of infrastructure, including cable routes, landing stations, and network capacity.
   • Evaluate the age and technological capabilities of existing systems.
   • Identify potential vulnerabilities and single points of failure.
3. 2. Analyze the resilience of current systems in light of the Caribbean’s unique challenges:
   • Examine the impact of natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, submarine landslides) on cable infrastructure.
   • Assess the effectiveness of existing redundancy and restoration mechanisms.
   • Evaluate the impact of climate change on cable infrastructure.
5. 3. Explore strategies for enhancing submarine cable resilience:
   • Discuss best practices for cable route planning and design.
   • Investigate the feasibility of implementing diverse routing and redundant systems.
   • Examine the role of regional collaboration and information sharing.
   • Review the recommendations and outcomes of the ITU and ICPC meeting in Abuja.
7. 4. Facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration among Caribbean stakeholders:
   • Foster dialogue between telecommunications operators, regulators, governments, and regional organizations.
   • Identify opportunities for joint initiatives and partnerships.
   • Discuss the role of insurance and risk mitigation.
9. 5. Develop actionable recommendations for strengthening submarine cable resilience:
   • Outline specific steps for improving infrastructure, policies, and regulatory frameworks.
   • Identify funding mechanisms and investment opportunities.
   • Establish a roadmap for ongoing collaboration and monitoring.
11. 6. Support the push for digital economies:
    • Evaluate the importance of reliable fibre infrastructure for the Caribbean digital transformation.
    • Discuss how to future proof the region’s infrastructure to support digital services and growth.

Participants:

The meeting will bring together key stakeholders from the Caribbean region, including:

• Telecommunications operators
• National regulatory authorities
• Government representatives
• Regional organizations 
• Submarine cable system providers
• International organizations (e.g., ITU, ICPC)
• Academic and research institutions

Expected Outcomes:

• A comprehensive understanding of the current state of submarine cable infrastructure in the Caribbean.
• Identification of key vulnerabilities and risks.
• Development of actionable recommendations for enhancing resilience.
• Establishment of a regional network for ongoing collaboration and information sharing.
• A report outlining the meetings conclusions and proposed actions.

Agenda:

The agenda will include presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshops covering the objectives outlined above.

Host Organisations:

• CTU: The Caribbean Telecommunications Union is an inter-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the development of the telecommunications sector in the Caribbean.
• CANTO: The Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organizations is a regional association of telecommunications operators and stakeholders.