A few months ago, former Digicel owner Denis O’Brien issued a caution to Caribbean nations regarding the deployment of 5G technology. He argued that there is no compelling business case for introducing 5G in the region, alluding to concerns related to equity, fairness, and the regulatory framework of the telecommunications sector. From a regional development viewpoint, I concur that deploying 5G does not seem warranted. This stance is particularly valid given the significant financial burden it places on service providers to upgrade from the existing 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) to a more sophisticated 5G network. This challenge is further compounded by the unique geographic landscape of the Caribbean, characterised by its mix of flat and mountainous terrains, which complicates the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.Understanding the distinctions between 4G and 5G technologies is crucial for appreciating their respective impacts whether in business operations or everyday life.4G technology has enabled a wide array of applications, enhancing our digital experiences across different regions. It has facilitated high-definition video streaming on mobile devices, allowing us to watch live TV or community activities with clarity and with minimal interruption. Additionally, 4G has made it possible to enjoy HD content and engage in reliable video conferencing, contributing significantly to the way we communicate and work remotely. Serving as the foundation of the mobile internet era, 4G has been instrumental in the growth of social media, the rise of mobile commerce, and the provision of crucial mobile services such as Google Maps. This technology has truly transformed our access to information and our ability to stay connected with the world around us.While the benefits of 4G have been widely recognised, there is growing curiosity about why 5G has not yet been introduced to the region, with many people eager to know when it will become available. 5G technology is anticipated to revolutionise a broad spectrum of applications, such as autonomous vehicles, smart cities, remote surgery, and sophisticated augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences, thanks to its remarkable speed and capacity. These features are essential for applications that demand real-time data processing and instantaneous responses. I confidently assert that the absence of 5G in the Caribbean and most parts of the world is primarily due to the lack of compelling business cases, such as those mentioned earlier, to justify the substantial investment required for deploying this advanced mobile technology. This is particularly true considering that the performance and capacity of 4G have not yet been fully exploited in the Caribbean.
