THE conference, the only C-level meeting for the Caribbean wholesale market, opened with an insightful keynote presentation by Brendan Paddick, Chairman of Columbus Communications, parent company of Flow. In a departure from the norm, the keynote presentation took the form of an interview hosted by Linda Wellstein, Chair, Global Technology – Telecommunications & Media Practice.

Paddick shared the story of the growth of Columbus Communications in the Caribbean. Columbus Communications group companies in the region employ over 1,800 Caribbean nationals and serve 450,000 residential and business customers in Trinidad, Jamaica, Grenada and Curacao. Columbus operates a 18,000 km subsea fibre optic network and a 21,000km terrestrial network that spans 22 countries and is the routing for most of the telecommunications traffic in the Caribbean basin. “We have invested US$1 billion in the region and will likely invest that amount again over the next five years to take that up to US$2 billion,” said Paddick when asked what’s next for Columbus in the Caribbean.

Paddick also revealed some of the innovations planned by Columbus in the region when he disclosed plans for delivery of 300MB to the home for residential Internet users in Jamaica and a TV Everywhere product currently being trialled in Trinidad to enable consumers to “do anything on anything, anywhere.” Paddick said that recognising that Caribbean people are aspirational and early adopters of technology focus on ensuring and enabling the region to stay ahead of the technological curve is a key driver for Columbus.

Empowerment of youth through technology is another important pillar of the Columbus group of companies across the region. Paddick reiterated the company’s commitment to providing free broadband services to every school in the areas the company serves. Already in Jamaica, Flow delivers free commercial grade Internet and cable TV service to over 150 schools through its Building Leaders through Technology programme.