Guyana’s telecom provider outlines interior coverage plans following presidential pressure, though profitability concerns temper ambitions.
One Communications is moving forward with plans to expand telecommunications coverage across Guyana’s hinterland over the next five years, according to Demerara Waves Online News. Chief Executive Abraham Smith told reporters Friday that the company would also present its investment roadmap for 2027–2029 by mid-2027, though he declined to specify how many communities would receive service expansion.
The expansion initiative comes in response to mounting pressure from government leadership. President Irfaan Ali publicly admonished One Communications, Digicel, and ENet on September 2 during the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month, calling on all telecom providers to significantly increase hinterland investment and bridge Guyana’s communication divide.
Smith acknowledged that financial sustainability remains the primary driver of the company’s capital planning decisions. While One Communications considers national security implications in its strategy, the executive emphasized that the company must evaluate funding mechanisms and return on investment for each project. He suggested potential collaboration with government on specific initiatives, though routine capital planning must account for profitability alongside other factors.
A critical piece of the puzzle remains the government’s universal service obligation fund, which would allow telecom providers to contribute resources for serving commercially unviable low-population communities. Smith indicated that One Communications and other providers are awaiting the Telecommunications Agency’s operationalization timeline for the fund, with no current projects receiving company contributions pending the fund’s launch.
Despite these constraints, One Communications has invested $25 million in expanding mobile, fixed, and subsea infrastructure. The company has upgraded 35 cell sites to 4G LTE service, bringing faster internet speeds to subscribers across regions ranging from Moleson Creek on the Corentyne to Anna Regina in Essequibo, as well as Linden and several interior areas. Smith confirmed the company will not pursue further 2G or 3G development in Guyana, focusing instead on next-generation technology deployment.
Guyana’s telecommunications sector has faced criticism for uneven service distribution, with remote interior communities—particularly those near the Venezuelan border such as Imbotero—experiencing minimal signal coverage from major providers. Many residents in these areas rely on satellite internet services like Starlink where available. The government has established a universal service obligation framework intended to subsidize service provision to commercially unviable areas, though implementation timelines remain pending.
Guyana’s digital divide mirrors challenges across the Caribbean, where remote and low-density communities struggle to access reliable telecommunications infrastructure. The tension between commercial viability and universal service access reflects broader regional debates about equitable digital infrastructure investment and government’s role in bridging connectivity gaps in island and interior territories.
Written & Edited by Orlyn Edwards. Published by Caribbean Air Force Media.
Category: Business · Island routing: Guyana