E-Networks blocked from landing submarine cable

Cable network provider, E-Networks Inc. has found itself in some trouble with a submarine internet cable that it wants to land. Tuesday, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications said that it has not granted permission for the landing of the cable. The Ministry said that it has taken note of the publication of a notice to mariners by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), published in the newspapers indicating that maritime surveys shall be conducted by two vessels “on behalf of E-Networks Inc. as preparatory works for subsea cable laying … within the Guyana Maritime Zone”. The Ministry said that while the interest of investors in the sector in general is welcome, no licence for the laying and landing of a subsea cable system has been granted to E-Networks Inc. In fact, any companies now in possession of a telecoms licence will have to comply with new laws in place since 2016. “The Ministry of Public Telecommunications wishes to advise further that applications for licences to lay and land subsea cable systems and/or other major telecommunications operations by any entity that does not currently hold a telecommunications licence will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2016. After much trouble, the Coalition Government finally passed amended laws in 2016 allowed for other companies to compete against GTT and Digicel. However, Government is still in consultations/negotiations with the US-owned GTT, which holds the monopoly on landline and international calls. Government wants other companies to offer faster internet, and more options, even landing more internet cables. E-Networks was seen as a company close to the previous administrations of the People’s Progressive Party, receiving a cable licence in late 2011 by the outgoing president, Bharrat Jagdeo, as one of his last acts in office. E-Networks is controlled by Vishok Persaud, son of former PPP Minister of Agriculture, Reepu Daman Persaud. (Kaieteurnews)