Above: Minister of Digital Transformation Hassel Bacchus receives the award in Barcelona. Photo courtesy MWC.

The GSMA’s Mobile World Congress, held this year in Barcelona announced that Trinidad and Tobago was the 16th winner of its annual Global Leadership Award.
The award is given to the country that, “Has demonstrated impactful, positive changes in digital policy and telecom regulation during the previous 12 to 18 months.”

Trinidad and Tobago was chosen as the 2024 winner specifically because of its, “Prolific efforts to modernise their regulatory regimes and bring digital services to its citizens; with ten public consultations held on topics including spectrum planning, 5G policy, and maritime mobile services.”

“Regional leadership in the WRC-23 preparatory process, particularly in the support of mid-band spectrum for mobile; and assignment of mobile spectrum in 700 MHz, 850 MHz and AWS bands to mobile operators at significantly reduced rates to foster digital growth.”

“Rollout of numerous initiatives to ensure digital inclusion, including creating 12 ICT Access Centres that provide skills training and access to devices across the islands, with more planned.”

The judges who chose this country for the honour were…
Sulyna Abdullah, Chief of Strategic Planning and Membership, ITU
Verena Weber, Head of the Connectivity Services and Infrastructures Unit, OECD
Hande Asik, Chief of Staff and Group Director of Strategic Communications and Performance Analytics,