Countries

The Telecommunications Division, under the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Information Technology, is the primary regulatory body overseeing internet services. It is responsible for developing policies and regulations to promote fair competition, improve internet access, and protect consumers’ rights. Antigua and Barbuda actively participates in regional and international forums related to internet governance. As part of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the country collaborates with neighbouring nations on issues such as cybersecurity, digital inclusion, and regional internet infrastructure development.

Consult Antigua and Barbuda’s digital strategies and regulations

Follow Antigua and Barbuda’s digital submarine cables

The Bahamas boasts a high level of digital access: in early 2025, internet penetration reached 94.8%, with 381,000 users, and mobile broadband coverage stood at 99% of the population. The country’s fixed internet speeds average around 74 Mbps, up from 59 Mbps the previous year. Telecom operators BTC and Aliv lead broadband and LTE services nationwide, supported by submarine fibre links and regional disaster-connectivity initiatives such as Starlink.

Under the IDB‑supported digital transformation, the Bahamas is centralising e‑government services through the DTU’s MyGateway portal, digitising hundreds of services and modernising public-sector ICT with data centres and disaster recovery systems. The Sand Dollar CBDC, launched in 2020 as the world’s first national digital currency, has been progressively scaled and integrated into the broader financial system to promote inclusivity and secure digital payments.

With a digitally connected population, roughly 62% are active social media users across platforms, and over 87% have mobile connections. ICT services still carry a premium; fixed broadband is about 113% more expensive than OECD averages, while mobile data costs are 24% higher, pointing to untapped opportunities in affordability and rural expansion. Ongoing investment in fibre backbone resilience, PPPs, and digital inclusion initiatives aims to complete the digital ecosystem and further enhance economic impact

Consult the Bahamas’ digital strategies and regulations

Follow the Bahamas’ digital submarine cables

Uruguay has one of the highest internet penetration rates in Latin America, with over 90% of households connected to the internet. This widespread connectivity results from initiatives like Plan Ceibal, which provided laptops and internet access to students nationwide, helping bridge the digital divide. Uruguay’s government has implemented comprehensive e-government platforms that allow citizens to access a wide range of public services online. The Agencia de Gobierno Electrónico y Sociedad de la Información y del Conocimiento (AGESIC) oversees these efforts, ensuring that digital services are user-friendly and secure.

Consult Uruguay’s AI and digital strategies and regulations

Follow Uruguay’s digital submarine cables

Timor-Leste’s internet infrastructure has historically relied on satellite communications, leading to higher costs and latency. To address this, the government approved the installation of submarine fibre optic cables connecting to Darwin, Australia, and Alor, Indonesia, aiming to enhance connectivity and reduce dependence on satellite links. A key project is the Timor-Leste South Submarine Cable (TLSSC), a 607-kilometer subsea cable linking Dili to Australia’s North West Cable System (NWCS), owned by Vocus Group. This connection facilitates high-speed data transfer between Timor-Leste and Australia.

The TLSSC, constructed by Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), is designed to support a data transfer capacity of 27 terabits per second (Tbps) and includes seven repeaters, with a branch cable extending to the Greater Sunrise region. The project, estimated to cost between US$40 million and US$60 million, is fully funded by the Timor-Leste government, with financial support from the Australian Government. The installation commenced with a landing event in Dili on 24 June 2024. Additionally, Timor-Leste plans to further enhance its connectivity through the Asia Connect Cable (ACC-1), a submarine cable system that will connect Los Angeles to Singapore, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines.

Consult Timor-Leste’s digital strategies and regulations

Follow Timor-Leste’s digital submarine cables

The digital economy in the US accounted for approximately $2.41 trillion in current-dollar value added in 2021. This figure highlights the substantial contribution of digital activities to the nation’s GDP, demonstrating the sector’s robust growth even during challenging economic periods. The digital economy’s growth rate significantly outpaced the overall U.S. economy, with real value added growing by 9.8 percent from 2020 to 2021, compared to the overall GDP growth of 5.7 percent in the same period​.

The United States is a global leader in the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI). The 2024 Government AI Readiness Index, produced by Oxford Insights, ranks the United States as the top country in terms of AI readiness. The AI landscape in the US is characterized by a robust ecosystem that includes pioneering research institutions, leading technology companies, significant government initiatives, and a strong regulatory framework. This ecosystem fosters innovation and positions the US at the forefront of AI advancements.

Key components of the AI landscape

1. Research and development
   • Academic institutions: Renowned universities such as MIT, Stanford, and Carnegie Mellon are at the cutting edge of AI research, contributing to breakthroughs in machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics.
   • Government research: Agencies like DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and NSF (National Science Foundation) fund and conduct high-impact AI research, focusing on both foundational technologies and practical applications.
2. Technology companies
   • Big Tech leaders: Companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, and Facebook are leading the development of AI technologies. They invest heavily in AI research and development, producing cutting-edge innovations and deploying AI in various products and services.
   • Startups and innovation: The US is home to a vibrant startup ecosystem, with numerous AI-focused startups driving innovation in areas such as healthcare, finance, autonomous vehicles, and cybersecurity.
3. Government initiatives and policies
   • The National AI Initiative Act of 2020: This act established a coordinated federal program to accelerate AI research, development, and deployment across the U.S. government.
   • AI research institutes: The establishment of AI research institutes by NSF focuses on multidisciplinary research to address societal challenges and advance AI technologies.
   • The American AI Initiative: Launched in 2019, this initiative aims to ensure American leadership in AI by promoting investment in AI research, unleashing AI resources, removing barriers to AI innovation, and preparing the workforce for the AI era.
   • US President’s Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (2020): This executive order emphasizes the importance of developing AI that is safe, secure, and trustworthy. It mandates federal agencies to prioritize AI research and development that aligns with these principles and to ensure that AI systems are designed and deployed in ways that are ethical and protective of civil liberties and privacy.
4. Public-private partnerships
   • Collaborations between government agencies, academia, and industry are crucial for advancing AI. Initiatives such as the Partnership on AI bring together stakeholders to address AI’s ethical, social, and economic impacts.
5. Ethics and regulation
   • Ethical frameworks: Organizations like the IEEE and the Partnership on AI develop ethical guidelines to ensure responsible AI development and deployment.
   • Regulatory approaches: The US government is working on developing regulations that balance innovation with the protection of privacy, security, and civil liberties. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other regulatory bodies are involved in crafting policies for AI governance.

Consult AI and digital strategies and regulations

Follow digital submarine cables

Vanuatu has made notable progress in digital access: by early 2025, internet penetration reached approximately 45.7 %, with around 151,000 users, while social media usage stood at 39.3 % of the population—among the higher rates in the least developed Pacific nations. Mobile connectivity is particularly strong, with 315,000 mobile connections, amounting to 95 % of the population; remarkably, nearly 96.4 % of these connections support broadband (3G/4G) services—placing Vanuatu among the top regional performers in mobile‐broadband diffusion.

From an infrastructure standpoint, Vanuatu benefits from relatively high mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (66.5) and a high active SIM penetration (82.5 %)—well above regional averages and indicating strong mobile access and digital inclusion potential across urban and provincial areas. While fixed‑broadband remains modest, the widespread mobile broadband adoption positions Vanuatu ahead of many Pacific peers in connectivity resilience and access scalability.

Despite its small scale, Vanuatu’s digital ecosystem is strategically positioned—supported by infrastructure like the ICN1 submarine cable, local digital platforms, and inclusive awareness initiatives. These factors combine to deliver some of the highest mobile‑broadband coverage and active SIM penetration rates in the Pacific.

Consult Vanuatu’s AI and digital strategies and regulations

Follow Vanuatu’s digital submarine cables

Internet governance in Zambia involves the regulation and oversight of Internet-related activities by government bodies and other stakeholders. The key organisations in Zambia’s internet governance include the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), the Ministry of Technology and Science, and civil society groups focused on digital rights and advocacy. Internet access in Zambia is still developing, with challenges like high costs and limited rural connectivity. Efforts have been made to improve digital inclusion through initiatives like expanding broadband infrastructure and partnerships between the government and private sector. Mobile internet remains the primary way Zambians access the internet, with telecom providers playing a crucial role in expanding access.

Consult Zambia’s AI and digital strategies and regulations

Explore Zambia’s digital infrastructure