Digicel raps GTT over bypass, tax allegations
Digicel yesterday said that it had noted with great disappointment GTT’s most recent statements to the press in which it “repeated untrue allegations and more specifically claimed that Digicel has denied the Government of Guyana payment of taxes”.
“Digicel wishes to state categorically that it owes no taxes and is in good standing with the GRA. (Guyana Revenue Authority), a statement from the company said.
In recent weeks, GTT has accused Digicel of running an illegal bypass operation out of Suriname.
In its statement yesterday, Digicel said that when it began providing services here in 2007, consumers saw up to a 50% decrease in domestic call rates and access to new affordable handsets with no activation fees.
Digicel said it also began providing services in remote regions of Guyana.
“It must be noted that today, 27 years after GTT’s launch in Guyana, there are still areas even in Georgetown where customers are still waiting for service from GTT”, Digicel declared..
Recognising the need for consumers in Guyana to have access to the internet on the go, in May 2007, Digicel noted that it introduced mobile internet service via Blackberry. It was only in November 2011 that GTT decided to follow suit - over four and a half years later, Digicel charged.
The exchange of text messages between the Digicel and GT&T networks was made possible through the efforts of Digicel despite GT&T’s resistance for over two years, Digicel contended.
. “Digicel believes the focus here should be on customers and competition. Digicel calls upon GTT to desist from making false allegations that serve to mislead and remove the focus from the imminent opening of a fully competitive telecoms sector in Guyana and to allow the Government to continue to work towards making liberalisation a reality for the benefit of the public of Guyana.
“If GTT believes it offers a superior level of services to consumers in Guyana, then there should be no need to fear liberalisation. It’s ironic that GT&T is trying to portray itself as a consumer champion whilst doing everything in its power to frustrate our attempts to provide competition and choice in the market. Despite these challenges, Digicel has managed to compete effectively with GT&T and prides itself on its innovation and on the standard and quality of its services and will continue to fight to provide them to the people of Guyana”, the company said.