AI-Summary – News For Tomorrow
The Cayman Islands Government is proceeding with a new subsea cable system to upgrade its aging infrastructure and ensure connectivity, according to the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure. Cambridge Management Consulting reviewed potential partners in 2023, leading to a project plan presented to the caucus in March 2024. An unnamed interested party has submitted an offer to connect the islands to a multinational system, with a cabinet paper in preparation. Minister Jay Ebanks stated the project aims to keep the Cayman Islands globally connected, regionally competitive, and nationally secure, but transparency regarding financing remains a concern. Seaborn Networks previously made an unsolicited application in 2022 to connect a marine communications cable, but whether this offer is still on the table is not clear.
News summary provided by Gemini AI.
(CNS): The Cayman Island Government is moving ahead with the construction of a new subsea cable system, the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure (MPLAHI) announced this week in its latest update about the project.
“The Cayman Islands currently rely on ageing systems that require upgrading to keep pace with global standards, safeguard against disruption, and provide the connectivity that Cayman’s residents, businesses, and institutions need to thrive,” the release from the ministry said, without reference to the MAYA-1.2 project or how that affects the CIG’s plans.
While the latest update and the accompanying ‘fact sheet’ pushed the idea that the cable is a necessary investment in infrastructure, the lack of transparency over the financing of a project it has apparently commited to remains glaring.
Ebanks said that Cambridge Management Consulting was contracted in November 2023 to review previous analyses and assess potential industry partners and stakeholders. “Preliminary recommendations and a costed project plan were presented to caucus in March 2024,” he told MPs in July 2024.
“Caucus then instructed further engagement with potential industry partners and evaluation of alternative partnership and delivery models. An interested party has submitted an offer to connect the Cayman Islands to a multinational system. A cabinet paper is being prepared for consideration.”
Although the minister did not identify the interested party that had made the offer, Seaborn Networks made an unsolicited application to OfReg in 2022 to pay for and connect a marine communications cable. Whether this offer is still on the table or another has emerged is not at all clear.
The release from the ministry said it “continues to work closely with international industry partners and local stakeholders to advance the project. Once completed, the upgraded subsea cable will ensure the Cayman Islands remain globally connected, regionally competitive, and nationally secure.”
See the full press release below:
