Curaçao has long marketed itself as a paradise for tourists and a promising hub for digital nomads. But while the island shines with its natural beauty and welcoming spirit, it falters where it matters most in today’s world: digital infrastructure.
The latest service disruption from Flow, the island’s dominant internet provider, is another painful reminder of this weakness. A technical failure during maintenance—linked to an earlier outage just two weeks ago—left a significant portion of Flow’s customers without internet, including disruptions to the mobile top-up system. While services have reportedly been restored, the frustration lingers. Internet access is no longer a luxury—it's a basic necessity.
The truth is, Curaçao's current infrastructure cannot keep pace with modern demands. For a destination hoping to attract tech-savvy travelers, remote workers, and digital entrepreneurs, reliable and affordable connectivity is critical. When service interruptions become the norm, the island sends the wrong message to exactly the kind of high-value visitor it wants to attract.
Fortunately, there may be light at the end of the tunnel. Minister of Communication, Charles Cooper, recently announced that several new players are entering the telecom market. TRES, now under Digicel, Teramobil, and newcomer Aquatel (to operate under the brand Qonèkt) have all received or are applying for concessions to offer internet services. This could finally break the monopoly grip and push providers to deliver better service at lower prices.
Even more encouraging is the government's plan to implement mobile number portability, allowing customers to switch providers without changing phone numbers. This is a powerful tool that gives consumers more control—and companies more incentive to perform.
But time is not on our side. If Curaçao wants to compete globally as a tourist and remote work destination, we must treat our digital infrastructure as a top national priority. We cannot afford to keep letting visitors and locals suffer from repeated outages, high prices, and poor customer service.
It’s time for action—not just promises. The government must fast-track the rollout of new providers, hold current ones accountable, and invest in long-term solutions that ensure reliability and resilience. The digital economy waits for no one, and neither will the tourists or digital nomads Curaçao is trying to win over.
Let’s fix this now—before opportunity passes us by.
