As is the focus with many entities in a position to assist quake-hit Haiti, the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organizations (CANTO), yesterday, affirmed its willingness to lend a hand to the devastated country.

This was according to Secretary-General of CANTO, Ms. Regenie Fraser, who addressed the media at a press briefing preceding the opening of CANTO’s 26th Annual General Meeting (AGM) ‘Mobile Content and Value Added Services Workshop’, a four-day event.

Fraser said, “We have a number of proposals and a number of our members stand ready to help with equipment, human resources and supplies.”

As part of CANTO’s activities, a special meeting will be convened by the organization’s Disaster Preparedness Committee (DRP) today to discuss the telecommunication situation in Haiti.

She explained that as an umbrella organization, CANTO will respond to Haiti’s situation by mobilising the resources of its members to bring about change in the infrastructure of the country’s telecommunication industry.

Additionally, CANTO will be partnering with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to develop a collaborative effort to assist the restoration of Haiti’s telecom sector.

The CANTO Secretary-General said ITU has put forward a proposal for a state of the art broadband infrastructure for Haiti.

Fraser said, “We will take this into consideration at the meeting…Within CANTO we will look at the solution that Haiti needs.”

Chairman of CANTO, Mr. Ian Blanchard, said that the assistance from CANTO comes after recognising the needs of the country.

Blanchard said a critical issue is assessment and pointed out that a team from CANTO was in Haiti, equipped with satellite phones, to help with communication and report on what is needed.

“A proper assessment of what is happening on the ground will help us to channel our assistance,” he said.

The CANTO Chairman said today’s discussion will be based on reports that have come out of Haiti on what transpired with the telecommunications there.

“Haiti needs to be rebuilt,” he asserted, “The importance is how we rebuild.”

He added that looking at Haiti, an important lesson is learned, that in building, the future must be considered.

Relative to rebuilding efforts in light of the volatility of the Caribbean Region to natural disasters, the CANTO Chairman said Haiti has taught an important lesson.

“We have made errors by focusing on hurricanes; but about two years ago we started to look at volcanoes and earthquakes…There are a number of lessons that we learned from Haiti…What is clear is that we recognise this and we will look at what we found,” Blanchard said.

Aside from Haiti, the forum’s agenda includes focus on activities undertaken in 2009; the creation of a working plan for 2010; five working meetings; the board of directors’ meeting where a new board will be elected; the AGM proceedings; and new initiative and project ideas for 2010.

Primary among the ideas is the ‘Connect the Caribbean’ initiative.

The theme for this year’s activity is ‘Embracing Technology for economic success’ and the CANTO Chairman said this theme was not chosen lightly.

“When you embrace, you must do something…action must be taken; and over the next few days we want to redirect our action as we begin to think about sustainable and economic development,” Blanchard said.

He added that embracing technology is not about capacity and cables alone, but ultimately about changing the lives of people.

“We must play our part in embracing technology for the benefit of our people,” Blanchard opined.

Chief Executive Office of GT&T, Major General (Rtd.) Joseph Singh, lauded CANTO’s work and highlighted the possible synergies that can be created as Guyana looks towards the future.

He said, “If we are to have a future, then we have to looks at integrating our efforts as a Region.”

CANTO’s activity is being co-hosted by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) and is expected to be attended by top executive telecommunication operators and suppliers from over 31 countries.

The 31 countries represent the base of operations of 113 CANTO members.

Over the years, CANTO’s membership has reportedly increased from the eight members in eight countries it started with in 1985.

CANTO was founded in 1985 as a non-profit association of telephone operating companies in the Caribbean.

This initiative marked the first time that Caribbean operating companies had come together to independently address a wide array of telecommunication issues of mutual concern. CANTO was registered in 1999 under the laws of Trinidad and Tobago as a non-profit organization and its Secretariat was established in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

In recognition of changes in the industry, CANTO in 1999 esta
blished an Associate Membership category to include membership from other players in the telecommunications sector.

The membership is now open to service providers, equipment suppliers, consultants, government ministries and departments, educational institutions, other telecommunication organizations and major users of telecommunication services.