Barbados

ICT Profile

Country background
Country name
Barbados
Capital city
Bridgetown
Name of national disaster management agency

Department of Emergency Management                            

Name of telecommunications ministry

Ministry of Communications and Information Technology                            

Name of telecommunications regulator

Telecommunications Unit                            

Population

287,708                

Source: World Bank 2021

Country narrative

Barbados is a small island developing state in the eastern most part of the Caribbean Archipelago. The island’s terrain is largely comprised of relatively flat land comprised of limestone rock. Barbados’ coastline is approximately 97 km in length with the majority of the island’s extensive coral life located in marine protected areas on the western coast. The population of Barbados is approximately 287,371 (2020) with 25% of the population living in coastal areas. The country was one of the main cultivators of sugarcane but has shifted its economy towards tourism and financial services. As an island state, Barbados is highly vulnerable to hurricanes and other natural hazards, and is particularly susceptible to the potential impacts of climate change, including coastal inundation and sea level rise, an increase in tidal and storm surge levels, coastal erosion, rising temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, drought and more frequent and intense tropical cyclones.                            
                            

Currency

Barbados dollar                

Key ICT statistics
GSMA mobile connectivity index score

67.5

3G coverage % of population

94

Regulations and rules
Regolations/Rules
Type of regulation
Disaster management
Policy name
Description

This Act provides for the effective organization and management of disasters and other emergencies in Barbados. It ensures the public is informed in cases of hazard, disaster or emergency and establishes public participation provisions on policies and programmes, among others.

Type of regulation
Telecommunications
Description

The purpose of this law is to establish a framework for authorising the ownership and operation of telecommunications networks, prevent unfair competitive practices by carriers and service providers, and ensure the overall development of telecommunications in the interest of the sustainable development of Barbados.

Policy name

Tampere Convention

Description

Tampere Convention was accessioned in 25 Jul 2003.

Type of regulation
UAV
Policy name
Description

Drones are banned in Barbados with the possibility of obtaining a permit and get permission to fly a drone.

Communications service providers
Mobile network operator (MNO)
Company name
FLOW
Parent company name (majority holding)
Liberty Latin America
Service description
GSM-1900 UMTS, HSPA+-1900(2)/850(5) LTE-1900(2)/1800(3)/850(5)
Coverage map (provide URL)
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Mobile network operator (MNO)
Company name
Digicel
Parent company name (majority holding)
Digicel
Service description
GSM-900/1800 UMTS, HSPA+-2100(1)/900(8) LTE-1900(2)/700(12/17)
Coverage map (provide URL)
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