WILLEMSTAD – The Caribbean parts of the Kingdom should consider constructing a new submarine internet cable connecting the islands more directly with Europe as part of efforts to reduce digital dependence on the United States and strengthen data security, according to a new geopolitical resilience report.
Researchers warn that government services, financial transactions and international communications throughout the Dutch Caribbean depend heavily on foreign telecommunications providers and external routing through the United States.
Much of the region's internet traffic currently passes through hubs such as Miami.
The report says this creates vulnerabilities involving service disruptions, costs and data security.
One possible solution would be a new submarine cable directly connecting Europe and the Caribbean.
A direct cable between the Netherlands and Sint Eustatius is estimated to cost approximately €237 million.
An alternative route through the Azores is estimated at €171 million, approximately €66 million less.
Extending the network from Sint Eustatius to Bonaire would cost another estimated €55 million.
France is identified as a potential partner because it operates overseas territories in the Caribbean and could also benefit from a European-controlled digital connection.
The researchers argue that a new cable could improve redundancy, reduce dependence on existing routes and potentially lower internet costs.
They also note that limited competition in telecommunications contributes to relatively high prices for Caribbean consumers.
The report says the question surrounding digital infrastructure should not simply be whether Curaçao and the other islands choose Chinese, American or European technology.
Instead, governments should determine when excessive dependence on any foreign supplier becomes a national security issue and whether such decisions should be handled by individual countries or coordinated across the Kingdom.