Telecoms liberalisation war heats up

As negotiations continue to liberalise the telecommunications sector to allow new players, US-owned Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) is calling for an independent third party audit of what it says are“illegal” activities of Digicel.

GTT said saturday, in one of its toughest statements yet, that its call would come given recent developments and news accounts regarding illegal activity being conducted by Digicel.

“We believe it is time for action that gets to the bottom of this situation and finally provide transparency for everyone in Guyana”, GTT said. According to GTT, Digicel, a company that has a licence for mobile services, has been facilitating an illegal, unlicensed trans-border link between Guyana and Suriname.

GTT said that there is no ambiguity about this bypass activity. In fact, the company said, in a demonstration of remarkable arrogance and disregard for rule of law in Guyana, Digicel itself has acknowledged the operation on several occasions. Just as recently as March 21, 2017, Digicel told the PUC (Public Utilities Commission) that its bypass operation was not appropriate for the discussion at hand, while never once denying any aspect of the operation. GTT said that it knows that this bypass is causing very real and very significant harm to Guyana, by one estimate, it has cost the country an incredible US$30M over the last five years.

GTT recommended that Government initiate an independent, third party audit, or, investigation into Digicel’s alleged activity. “It appears that Digicel’s bypass operation has been active for more than five years. And over the last two years, GTT, and others who support a fair and competitive telecoms landscape, have called out this situation to various governmental agencies.”

GTT said that over time, and especially more recently, it has been assured that the matter has the attention of the local regulatory authorities. However, to ensure openness and forthright conduct, and to establish confidence that all interested parties are being treated fairly and equitably, the Guyanese people must know the complete details of the unauthorized cross-border link.

The liberalization of the telecoms sector has taken significance as GTT holds the monopoly on landlines and international calls.

The entrance of Digicel has brought competition with consecutive governments signaling its intentions to allow other players to introduce new services and bring down internet and other costs. However, GTT has been insisting that it wants negotiations as an open playing field for the sector to impact its investments.

The company has been criticized for not introducing landlines to new housing schemes despite growing demands for internet.

GTT is currently before PUC, the regulator, for an increase of rates on its landlines.

However, consumer advocates, have also accused GTT of not being truthful of its earnings.

GTT has already cut staff in preparation for competitive playing field when liberalization becomes effective and new companies enter the market.

(Kaieteur news)