WILLEMSTAD – Aquatel, the much-anticipated telecommunications company introduced by Aqualectra as the solution for affordable and accessible internet on Curaçao, is still not operational. The internet service, which was expected to launch in 2023, has faced significant delays, with development at a standstill.
Aquatel was first announced in 2022, with plans to offer fixed internet by the third quarter of 2023 and mobile services in 2024. However, as of now, little progress has been made toward delivering these promised services.
In May 2024, it was revealed that Aquatel had not yet been officially established. The delay was attributed to multiple challenges, including staffing shortages. As a state-owned entity, Aqualectra is required to comply with strict regulations when launching new ventures, which has contributed to the slow pace of development. Despite earlier preparations, no definitive launch date has been set for the telecom company.
Sources within Aqualectra have confirmed that there is currently no active work being done on Aquatel's internet division. Aqualectra’s CFO, Neysa Isenia, explained that 2023 was a difficult year for the company, plagued by technical and managerial challenges. “We decided to prioritize our core services, such as water and electricity, over other projects, including the launch of Aquatel,” Isenia stated.
Despite these setbacks, Isenia emphasized that progress is being made. “We have developed a strategic document, which is now complete. We are working on securing the necessary agreements to move forward with Aquatel's establishment,” she said. While this indicates that plans are underway, the actual launch of Aquatel appears to be far off.
Aqualectra has taken steps, such as updating the company’s statutes and preparing essential legal documents. “The decisions and new vision are now with the notary,” Isenia added. However, the timeline for when these plans will be fully realized remains unclear. While Aqualectra claims to have an updated strategy, it is still uncertain when the people of Curaçao will be able to access the long-promised internet and mobile services.