Report prepared for the CRNM under IDB/MIF (TC No. ATN/MT-8694-RG)

Analyses the market opening in telecommunications that has occurred in CARICOM states since the General Agreements on Trade in Services (GATS) came into force and assesses the implications for negotiations at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels. Reviews the current state of telecommunication and ICTsectors including the level of competitiveness in the sector in CARICOM and strategies of other regions such as European Union's Framework for Electronic Communications Networks and Services and the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity. Examine the role of Telecommunication in the provision of other services and creation of new services as well as its role and the ITC sector within the CARICOM/CSME integration process and in international trade negotiations. Describes technological and other changes in the industry including regulatory frameworks and institutional arrangements, infrastructure and competitiveness and new transmission and switching technologies. Highlights issues and challenges associated with diffusion of ICT's in CARICOM covering ICTs role in economic development of CARICOM. Presents approaches taken by governments both individually and collectively to create an enabling environment for ICTS and ICT- related services to flourish and contribute to the regional integration process. Conclude that ICTs and their related services and sectors cannot be successfully deployed nor deployed in national and regional environments without liberalization of telecommunications and introduction of competitive pressures in the market.

General