Poor Internet services reportedly keep Antigua and Barbuda out of upper ranks in survey of remote working destinations

Antigua and Barbuda did not make the list of a new study by Global HR and Remote, the payroll experts, and many residents say they are not surprised.

The study lists the best beach destinations for remote-working trips in 2022, and Brades, Montserrat, emerged in the No. 1 position.

The Valley, Anguilla; Saint George’s, Bermuda; and Bridgetown, Barbados are the other Caribbean destinations ranked in the Top 10.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gaston Browne Administration had invited workers in other countries to take advantage of Antigua and Barbuda’s NOMAD programme.

However, while reliable Internet services were required for the programme to function efficiently, locals and visitors alike have complained about poor connectivity issues. 

Only last week, Harold Lovell, Political Leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), complained about the shoddy Internet services. He placed the blame squarely on the Government for not putting the proper legislative mechanisms in place to address this shortfall.

A remote worker, who was born in Antigua but returned here under the NOMAD programme, describes the Internet service with a less than flattering name. 

She says services are overpriced, the cost of living is dreadful, rent is way too high, and digital services are non-existent.

The woman says she prefers to be anywhere but here when she can help it, because her work suffers due to poor Internet services, and her dollar goes much farther in other places that actually work to market their telecoms.

The study found that Bridgetown, the capital and largest city of Barbados, was ninth in its analysis, with an average Internet speed of 60.25 mbps, which is the third fastest after Saint George’s in Bermuda and Noord in Aruba.

Barbados reportedly is also one of just five destinations that offer remote workers a six-month stay with no visa requirements.