Only a small portion of the population without internet or mobile coverage 

Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) is boasting about its high broadband penetration with only small percentage of homes in the twin-island republic now without internet access or mobile coverage.

In fact, T&T is far ahead of other Caribbean territories in broadband penetration. Those who do not have connectivity either cannot afford the service or live in rural areas, where service may not be available.

The declaration of T&T’s state of broadband penetration was given by internet and mobile service providers during a joint select committee of the country’s Parliament, which is meeting to enquire into the effects of the hybrid learning system on student performance, amid COVID-19 restrictions. Schools have been closed since March 2020 with the majority of students engaging in online learning.

Education in T&T amid COVID-19

Currently, only forms four, five and six students at the secondary level have been allowed to return to physical classes for labs and examination preparation. Primary schools remain closed.

Access to devices and the internet have been two of the issues raised by stakeholders as limiting pupils’ ability to participate in online classes. Last month, the parliamentary committee heard from several denominational school boards that many pupils, despite having devices, were unable to fully participate in online learning.

This the committee blamed on connectivity issues. In some cases, parents were unable to afford to pay for an internet connection and in other cases, internet service providers (ISP) did not provide service in certain communities.

Last week, committee member, Dr Rudranath Indarsingh reported that children are indeed being left behind, and are in a “state of wilderness” in terms of their educational development due to a lack of access to devices and internet.

Study showing that most of T&T has internet access

However, Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago CEO, Lisa Agard pointed to a study showing that most of T&T has internet access. According to her, “we looked collectively at our area-serving technologies and networks in T&T and on the basis of the work that we did, we determined that we have 95 per cent broadband coverage in T&T”.

Agard said this is the level of coverage that ISPs provide, while the remaining five per cent are areas that ISPs do not yet service. From this coverage, she noted that some 84 per cent of households are connected with high-speed broadband while 55 per cent utilise mobile internet.

Agard disclosed that 55 per cent of every 100 people in the country have internet access or data capabilities on their mobile devices. She argued that, “these are significant penetration levels. These broadband penetration levels, in terms of subscription uptake, are among the highest in the Caribbean and compares quite favourably to that which exists in the so-called first world countries”.

Digicel Operations Director Chandrika Samaroo advised that there has been an increase of 66 per cent in broadband Internet usage and a 64 per cent increase in mobile Internet usage over the past year. Agard, however acknowledged that there is a gap and some communities are at a disadvantage, adding that there were three particular communities that did not have any broadband access – Bonne Aventure, La Lune and Icacos.

ISPs working on special packages for lower income households

Another committee member, Pennelope Beckles, said there were other communities along the North Coast that did not have reliable internet access. She reported that ISPs are working to address these issues and also to bring internet access to those who cannot afford it with special packages for lower income households.

At present the Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago along with Digicel and Flow have been providing 6,000 low-income households with internet access at a reduced rate of $100. The ISPs are currently in the process of working with the Ministry of Education to determine which students do not have internet access to engage in online learning.