Fast, reliable, and stable internet is a prerequisite for (new) digital government services. Therefore, this investment is important. The government has also provided 4 million euros in subsidies to telecom providers in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba to further roll out fiber optics on the islands.

CELIA (Caribbean ELite Alliance) is a consortium of several telecom companies active in the Caribbean. The data cable, scheduled to be operational by the end of 2027, connects Aruba, Martinique, Antigua, Puerto Rico, and Boca Raton in Florida.

The connection of Bonaire to the CELIA cable enables more reliable and better price-quality.

“The new internet cable Celia is good news for the islands in the Caribbean,” said outgoing Secretary of State Eddie van Marum from the Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK), responsible for Kingdom Relations and Digitalization. “This cable provides faster and better internet for people and businesses. That is essential for the economic development of the islands. Investing in digital connections is an important priority for the government to create prosperity and employment.”

The digital connection between the islands is important, says SETAR director Roland Croes. “Investments like CELIA guarantee the connection of islands to the global data network and contribute to economic development. In the establishment of CELIA, we included the possible expansion to other islands so that our islands do not become isolated from technological developments and can participate in the global data world.”

The preparations for laying the underwater cable have begun. In the last week of August, a marine survey ship will be visible off the coast of Bonaire. The ship will sail between Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire and will detail the seabed using advanced sonar equipment.

"To lay an underwater cable, the seabed along the route must first be accurately mapped in terms of depth, height differences, existing coral, wrecks, and/or other materials. We are being advised by, among others, Stinapa Bonaire, the Cultural Heritage Agency, and Rijkswaterstaat. Based on this marine survey, the final route of the cable on the seabed will be determined", says Werner Haan, director of SSCS.

The CELIA cable will not only be extended to Bonaire in 2027 but also to Curaçao. SETAR and Curaçao signed a contract for this earlier this year. The project is also made possible by an EU subsidy from the CEF Digital Fund.