aug-2017c

22 23 T he telecommuni- cations industry is an agile one which is in con- stant transformation. Navi- gating and understanding it all takes time and patience. Enter CANTO, formerly known as the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Orga- nizations, and its vision of becoming “the leading au- thority in shaping informa- tion, communication, and technology in the Caribbe- an Region and the Amer- icas.” By forming a trade association that now comprises some 130 different member organizations, CANTO has helped its mem- bers work together, collec- tively, for the betterment of all stakeholders and by extension, the region. “We are a trade associ- ation of the ICT (Informa- tion and Communication Technology) stakeholders in the Latin American and the Caribbean region,” explains Secretary Gen- eral Teresa Wankin. “We were founded in 1985, by a small group of telecom operators. Our aim re- mains the same – forming a trade organization to address the common concerns of stake- holders; provide a platform for networking; sharing of information; and, generally, for TERESA WANKIN General Secretary of CANTO CANTO CANTO REIMAGINING ICT AT A GLANCE CARIBBEAN ASSOCIATION OF NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATIONS WHAT: A trade association with 130 member organizations WHERE: Port-of-Spain, Trinidad WEBSITE: www.canto.org doing business in the region. Over time, as the indus- try evolved and developed, so did the membership of CANTO grow from just pure telecom operators, to anyone with an interest in ICT. So now the Association has service providers, regulators, and anyone with an interest in ICT. Our members have evolved and so have we to become a focal point for all of the stake- holders to meet, do business, and network, and, most importantly, drive regional growth and development.” The policy strategy of CANTO is directed by a Board of Directors appointed by the membership. The full- time staff of eight and the permanent Secretariat are located in Trinidad and Tobago. The Association’s activities are financed through the contributions of the members, as well as other revenue generating projects. This allows CANTO to offer an array of ser- vices specially designed with its members and other