Satellite Internet in Antigua and Barbuda

Satellite Internet Access Service

Famous as a holiday destination, Antigua and Barbuda is a sovereign state located in the West Indies, between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Antigua and Barbuda are the main islands but there are several other smaller islands that make up the state. With a population of just over 103,000, tourism is a main employer on the islands. Investment banking and financial services are also a growth industry with many of the world’s banks with offices in Antigua. The telecom industry is also growing and considerable investments have been made in LTE and fibre services.

Paradise Archipelago

In 2017, there was 73% Internet penetration across Antigua and Barbuda. It is evident that the government is making great efforts to push this number up further and to get more of its population connected by broadband. The islands have embraced ICT and the government understand the correlation between broadband access and the development of the economy. It has established some key institutions on the islands such as an information technology centre, a Wide Area Network and a government data centre. A strategic plan has been put together which has several aims, the principal being to raise public awareness of importance of ICT and the Internet; to deliver online government services; to create an e-commerce platform and to accelerate the access to affordable computers. The government is actively looking for partners in the private sector to help to deliver on its ambitions for the digital future of the islands.

In terms of mobile cellular services, these are popular as the proliferation of the smartphone is happening across the islands. In 2014, there were around 120 mobile subscriptions for every 100 people. There is high demand for data and many people use their phones to access the Internet.

Geographic Challenges

For island nations like Antigua and Barbuda, it can be particularly challenging to deliver broadband and mobile broadband services due to geographic and funding constraints. However, access to broadband services is a key part of the government’s development strategy. It will be important that solutions are found to drive up the penetration rate for broadband access for individuals and businesses.

BusinessCom Networks has vast experience of delivering satellite-based broadband connectivity to island nations and driving down the costs of installations. Using flexible, scalable and affordable VSAT solutions, we can provide a broadband or a cellular service that is rapidly deployed, costs a fraction of the amount of fibre and eliminates the need for the construction of cell towers in the harder-to-reach areas of Antigua and Barbuda. We provide a solution that enables ISPs to reach out beyond their usual coverage areas to tap into new regions and markets on both C- and Ku-band platforms. We will work with you to find the right solution for your requirements and will provide you with tool to ensure that your bandwidth is used to its very best potential. Like ISPs, we can also enable expansion of cellular networks through our cellular backhaul solution which overcomes the lack of existing infrastructure, is rapidly deployable, instantly increases service coverage and delivers a complete range of voice and data services.

BusinessCom is ready to help your business to connect those that are currently difficult to reach on Antigua and Barbuda and surrounding islands. Access to broadband can then help people and businesses to improve their opportunities and ultimately, their futures.