C&W unveils PPP connectivity program for the Caribbean

Liberty Latin America’s C&W Communications unveiled a regional public-private partnership (PPP) program aimed at increasing broadband connectivity in low-income Caribbean localities.

Dubbed JUMP, the program has been joined by the governments of Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, St Lucia, and the Bahamas, C&W said in a statement.

Through JUMP and in partnership with local governments, qualifying households will receive subsidized internet connections, free laptops and training, according to the telecoms group, which in the region operates the brands Flow, Flow Business, C&W Business and BTC.

In Barbados, 1,000 households should be connected under the program this year, C&W CEO Inge Smidts said at the program’s launch.

According to the telco, the Caribbean registers less than 65% broadband penetration, with 27mn users out of a combined population of 44mn.

C&W reported US$1.4bn in annualized net revenue for Q1, with Jamaica (9% of revenues) and the Bahamas (4%) being the top markets.

The unit ended the quarter with 1.6mn homes passed, 1.7mn fixed revenue generating units (RGUs, or accesses) and 1.9mn mobile subscribers.

“The economies in the regions are continuing to recover from the impact of COVID-19, and this is reflected in our strong performance,” Liberty CEO Balan Nair told investors in the earnings call.