Council of Ministers Reaffirms ECTEL’s Role in Safeguarding Consumers Amid Emerging Technologies
ECTEL Release
“The work of ECTEL is important in the regulatory space and in this changing world, especially in light of the rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence and keeping pace with shifting markets and technologies, ECTEL is critically placed to ensure we can protect our consumers in our Member States.”
So said Honourable Konris Maynard, Chairman of ECTEL’s Council of Ministers and Minister for Information, Communications & Technology in St. Kitts and Nevis, as he delivered the Welcome Remarks at the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority’s (ECTEL) 49th Council of Ministers Meeting on 27th February 2026.
The meeting was held at the Royalton Saint Lucia and online via MS Teams to facilitate the virtual participation of Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister and Minister for Information in Grenada. The Chairman also used the opportunity to welcome the newest Council member Honourable Phillip Jackson, Minister for Innovation and Digital Transformation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Minister Maynard said, “The Council looks forward to working with you, and leaning on the experiences and insights you will bring as a new member on the Council.”
In his report on the meeting, ECTEL’s Managing Director, Mr. David A. Cox said, “We managed to achieve quite a lot that was positive for ECTEL. I am pleased to report that the Strategic Plan has now been approved. This means we can begin the process of budgetary preparations and implementation.”
Also presented to Council was the results of the ECTEL’s Digital Inclusion Survey (DIS). The DIS was conducted to better understand how individuals and households across ECTEL’s Contracting States access and use digital technologies, and to identify barriers that may prevent full participation in the digital economy. The findings highlight both encouraging progress and persistent challenges.
The functions of the Council, which is the highest decision-making body of the ECTEL framework, are to, among other things, promote the effective implementation of ECTEL’s Treaty; including the promotion of effective competition, accessible pricing, and quality of service for citizens of the region.
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About ECTEL:
The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) is the regulatory body responsible for electronic communications in its five Contracting States: Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. ECTEL aims to promote open markets, fair competition, and harmonised policies to ensure efficient and modern electronic communications services for all.
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