Trinidad and Tobago is a twin-island nation in the southern Caribbean, known for its vibrant Carnival celebrations and rich musical heritage, including calypso, soca, and the steelpan. Trinidad, the larger island, is an industrial hub with significant oil and gas resources, while Tobago is famed for its stunning beaches, coral reefs, and lush rainforests. The country’s diverse cultural tapestry reflects influences from African, Indian, European, and indigenous peoples, and its official language is English.
Trinidad and Tobago, boasts a competitive telecommunications market. Data from GSMA Intelligence shows that there were 2.02 million cellular mobile connections in Trinidad and Tobago at the start of 2024. However, note that many people around the world make use of more than one mobile connection – for example, they might have one connection for personal use, and another one for work – so it’s not unusual for mobile connection figures to significantly exceed figures for total population.
GSMA Intelligence’s numbers indicate that mobile connections in Trinidad and Tobago were equivalent to 131.6 percent of the total population in January 2024.The number of mobile connections in Trinidad and Tobago increased by 24 thousand (+1.2 percent) between the start of 2023 and the start of 2024.
The country’s mobile landscape is dominated by two main operators: Digicel and bmobile, both offering extensive services to meet the needs of consumers and businesses.
Digicel entered the Trinidad and Tobago market in 2006 and quickly gained popularity due to competitive pricing and aggressive marketing. It is part of the broader Digicel Group, which operates in several Caribbean, Central American, and Pacific countries.
Digicel provides widespread 4G LTE coverage across Trinidad and Tobago. The company invests heavily in network infrastructure to ensure consistent service, even in rural and underserved areas. However, like any network, coverage in extremely remote areas can sometimes be spotty.
In July 2018 4G/LTE was launched on the 1900 MHz band (B2). The 2100/1700 MHz band (B4) and the 700 MHz band (B28) are also used for LTE. They used B4 to launch LTE-A using Carrier Aggregation with the 1900 MHz band (B2) in November 2019 and B28 to launch 3CA in October 2020. 3CA and LTE CA with band 28 was stopped in March 2021 due to QoS issues. Only 2CA with band 2 and band 4 remains active. 256 QAM and uplink carrier aggregation (UL-CA) is also active on the network. Coverage is also available Nationwide. Check out their coverage map. The company has won the 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020 Speedtest award for the fastest mobile network in Trinidad and Tobago and the 2020 Speedtest award for best mobile coverage.
Digicel's 5G network is available in several locations in Trinidad and Tobago, including Marabella, Debe, San Fernando, and Peñal.
As of recent estimates, Digicel holds a significant portion of the market, often competing neck-and-neck with bmobile. The company’s focus on customer experience and promotions has helped it maintain a strong foothold in the mobile sector.
Digicel had announced it would decommission its 2G network at the end of 2024.
Bmobile is the brand of Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT), the state-owned telecom provider. As the older of the two major operators, bmobile has long been a staple in the country’s telecommunications industry.
4G/LTE has only started in 2016 on 1900 MHz (band 2). bmobile also rolled out LTE using 700 MHz (band 28) in October 2020 and 1700 MHz (band 4) in November 2022. 3 carrier aggregation (3CA), 4x4 MIMO and 256 QAM is active on the network. TSTT previously launched a data device-only TD-LTE 2500 MHz (Band 41) network in 2014 called Blink, which it has expanded to over 400 locations, but requires a contract. This service has since been upgraded to LTE-A using Carrier Aggregation and 8x8 MIMO. Massive-MIMO is also used in select areas.
Bmobile maintains a competitive market share, often rivaling Digicel. Its status as a state-backed provider lends it a level of trust and reliability among many consumers, especially in enterprise and government sectors.
Bmobile has been proactive in 5G trials and demonstrations, showcasing its potential to revolutionize connectivity in Trinidad and Tobago. The company has partnered with international technology firms to lay the groundwork for a future 5G rollout. However, like Digicel, widespread availability of 5G is still pending.
Over the last few years, TSTT has also invested significantly in WTTX, which is their fixed wireless network and is 5G ready
The arrival of 5G in Trinidad and Tobago holds promise for enhanced mobile experiences, including faster speeds, lower latency, and support for smart technologies. Both Digicel and bmobile have expressed commitment to leading the 5G revolution, but challenges such as infrastructure costs, spectrum allocation, and public awareness remain hurdles to overcome.
Trinidad and Tobago’s mobile operators, Digicel and bmobile, continue to play pivotal roles in shaping the nation’s telecommunications landscape. With competitive offerings and ongoing investments in technology, they are well-positioned to meet growing consumer demands.
