{"id":966,"date":"2025-06-24T22:38:33","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T22:38:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chile.panorama.uk.com\/?page_id=966"},"modified":"2025-06-24T22:51:35","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T22:51:35","slug":"unsung-heroes-of-sint-maarten-infrastructure","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chile.panorama.uk.com\/es\/unsung-heroes-of-sint-maarten-infrastructure\/","title":{"rendered":"The unsung heroes of Sint Maarten\u2019s infrastructure"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The unsung heroes of Sint Maarten\u2019s infrastructure<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \t
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Utilities may not be at the forefont of everyone\u2019s minds, but those working in these sectors keep us safe and connected<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \t
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Two of Sint Maarten\u2019s utility providers, TELEM and NV GEBE which offer telecommunications and water and electricity services respectively, explain how the island is future-proofing itself for quality, price and sustainability.<\/p>\n

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For over 25 years, TELEM has been at the forefront of telecommunications in Sint Maarten, offering a full range of services, including mobile, fixed-line, television and high-speed international connectivity. As the island\u2019s only locally owned telecom provider, TELEM is dedicated to keeping residents, businesses and visitors connected with cutting-edge technology and reliable service. \u201cRight now, we are introducing a new mobile system and a new internet core,\u201d says TELEM\u2019s former CEO, Kendall Dupersoy, adding that \u201cby the end of this year, the entire internet backbone connecting households will be completely new, and we are actively working toward the launch of our 5G network in the near future.\u201d<\/p>\n

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It is a member of CANATO, a nonprofit association of telephone operating companies in the Caribbean, which brings together telecommunication players from the region and government ministers, vendors and others. One of its key discussion points at the moment is that travelers use their phones for almost everything \u2014 from Google to Facebook to Netflix \u2014 yet those global giants do not pay for the considerable bandwidth they use. CANATO wants to generate revenue from this so that operators can keep expanding.<\/p>\n

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One of the most significant recent developments has been the repair of the Sint Maarten-Puerto Rico Network One submarine cable that runs between the two territories and was damaged in 2016. \u201cThis allows us to bring more bandwidth and better internet service at a lower cost to our customers,\u201d explains Dupersoy. \u201cOur goal is to ensure that people get better internet without an increase in price,\u201d he emphasizes. TELEM is also investing in resilience to ensure uninterrupted connectivity during natural disasters. \u201cAfter Hurricane Irma, we rebuilt with stronger, hurricane-resistant infrastructure,\u201d he says. \u201cOur central offices are now bunkers and our cables are underground, ensuring that within 12 to 24 hours of a major storm, we can restore connectivity to the island.\u201d<\/p>\n

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For investors, TELEM provides a seamless digital foundation to support business growth. \u201cWe have a very modern telecommunications network with connectivity across the island,\u201d he notes. \u201cSint Maarten is not just a paradise for tourists but also a prime location for business, thanks to easy global travel and a business-friendly environment.\u201d With innovations in automation, AI and smart home technologies on the horizon, TELEM is committed to enhancing digital experiences and expanding its services. For residents, tourists, or businesses, TELEM ensures Sint Maarten remains connected, competitive and future-ready.<\/p>\n

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NV GEBE keeps the lights on<\/b><\/h4>\n

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As Sint Maarten\u2019s sole electricity and water supplier, NV GEBE plays a crucial role in the island\u2019s growth and infrastructure. \u201cNV GEBE ranks as the 11th lowest in electricity rates among Caribbean utility providers,\u201d boasts Troy Washington, the utility provider\u2019s former CEO, ensuring competitive pricing for both residents and businesses. With a focus on balancing operational costs and service reliability, NV GEBE continuously explores ways to enhance efficiency and sustainability. Community engagement is a major priority for the company. Initiatives such as the installation of safety streetlights across the island have contributed to crime prevention and public security. The company is also transitioning from overhead to underground cabling, strengthening the resilience of the electrical network against hurricanes. Additionally, investments in advanced glass-infused water storage tanks improve water quality and durability, ensuring long-term reliability.<\/p>\n

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Sustainability is at the heart of NV GEBE\u2019s vision, but perfecting it is tricky. \u201cWind power is a great renewable option in many regions but Sint Maarten\u2019s location in the hurricane belt presents significant challenges. Wind turbines require costly reinforcements to withstand extreme weather conditions, making them a less cost-effective choice,\u201d explains Washington. Solar power looks to be the way forward, however, as Washington notes, \u201cwe remain fully committed to transitioning towards greener electricity production and are actively exploring opportunities to integrate solar power into our energy mix.\u201d This would include utility-scale solar farms and energy storage systems. NV GEBE welcomes discussions with U.S. investors interested in supporting renewable energy initiatives.<\/p>\n

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NV GEBE is also preparing for full domestic water production post-2027. \u201cOur extensive operational expertise in water production, combined with strategic infrastructure upgrades, will position Sint Maarten to take full ownership of its water supply,\u201d he highlights, before concluding, \u201cWe remain dedicated to powering the island\u2019s progress for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The unsung heroes of Sint Maarten\u2019s infrastructure Utilities may not be at the forefont of everyone\u2019s minds, but those working in these sectors keep us safe and connected Two of Sint Maarten\u2019s utility providers, TELEM and NV GEBE which offer telecommunications and water and electricity...","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"full_width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-966","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chile.panorama.uk.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/966","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chile.panorama.uk.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chile.panorama.uk.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chile.panorama.uk.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chile.panorama.uk.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=966"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/chile.panorama.uk.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/966\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":971,"href":"https:\/\/chile.panorama.uk.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/966\/revisions\/971"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chile.panorama.uk.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=966"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}