ENet has completed a transformative multibillion dollar telecommunications project, landing the first ever direct submarine fiber‑optic cable to Bartica. This pioneering investment brings state-of-the-art fiber connectivity and 5G mobile service to the hinterland town, connecting Bartica directly to ENet’s fiber-optic backbone, which is the largest in Guyana.
The cable, which crosses two major rivers, Demerara and Essequibo, and navigates difficult terrain, is now fully operational. With the network infrastructure complete, Bartica residents and businesses can now access the same gigabit-speed internet, robust 5G mobile coverage, and advanced digital services previously only available on the coast. ENet now connects seven of the country’s ten regions via fiber and remains the only operator to run submarine fiber cables to Regions 2 and 7.
At the ceremonial unveiling in Bartica on August 6, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips praised ENet’s initiative in contributing to the Government’s Digital Guyana agenda. “Bartica, long regarded as the gateway to Guyana’s interior, is now poised to benefit from dramatically faster and more reliable service for homes, businesses, and institutions. This is an immense technical achievement that also signifies a meaningful step toward bridging the digital divide between our coast and hinterland,” the Prime Minister stated. “We commend ENet for its bold investment and welcome this initiative as a demonstration of what can be achieved through partnership, innovation, and a shared commitment to national development.”
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and ENet’s Chief Executive Officer, Vishok Persaud.
The Prime Minister added, “We realise that if the digital divide continues, we cannot speak of development in a truly inclusive way. That is why the Government will continue to support initiatives like this one, ensuring that every region, every town, and every citizen is included in Guyana’s digital future.”
ENet’s Chief Executive Officer, Vishok Persaud, said the project was a challenging undertaking, and required innovation, resilience, and strong collaboration.
“The project was extraordinarily challenging as it required finding a viable route and running fiber through the trails,” he explained. “Today, we have connected Bartica via fiber-optic cable for the first time.”
Persaud highlighted the role of Roger Chan-Yuen, a key member of the ENet team, who led the effort to make the river crossing possible.
From L – R: ENet’s Chief Executive Officer, Vishok Persaud; Ravin Ramoutar, CEO of Astra Services, a key partner in the project and Roger Chan-Yuen, a key member of the ENet team.
“Forty-five minutes into the initial journey to identify a crossing, Roger [Chan-Yuen] called and said it [the original plan] couldn’t be done. But instead of giving up, we went back to the drawing board. Roger was determined to find a solution, and every weekend, they would explore different options. The idea of crossing two rivers was an expensive venture, but we did it. Today, in Bartica, you get exactly the same service that’s available in Georgetown.”
Vishok Persaud also recognised Ravin Ramoutar, CEO of Astra Services, as a key partner in the project, as their company had undertaken some of the most challenging tasks, including build-outs, associated with the laying of the cable.
Persaud also thanked Carlos Prowell, team leader in Bartica, who, he said, has always been an integral part of the operations and contributed to the company’s success in Bartica.
Carlos Prowell, team leader in Bartica
Since the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector in 2020, ENet has led the modernisation of Guyana’s digital landscape. The company was the first to deploy a locally owned international fiber-optic cable, and the first to introduce a 5G fixed wireless and mobile network. ENet has also built the country’s largest fiber-optic backbone, spanning Berbice, Linden, Essequibo, and now Bartica, reaching more of Guyana’s regions than any other provider.
ENet continues to invest in next-generation technologies and infrastructure that power Guyana’s digital transformation. With this milestone, the company reaffirms its position as the country’s most agile and future-ready telecommunications provider.
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