Private Sector says Govt must fast-track tabling of Telecoms Reform Bill

TIMES INT'L

… disappointed over slothfulness in liberalising sector

PSC Chairman, Norman McLean
PSC Chairman,
Norman McLean

While Government has announced its commitment to the liberalisation for the telecommunication sector, there is yet to be any move for the legislation to be taken to Parliament.

This is the concern raised by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Wednesday, which said that it is thrilled at the news that the sector, which has seen a monopolised operation for decades, will be liberalise by the end of this year.

“The PSC is, however, disappointed that the promised telecommunications legislation is yet to be laid in Parliament and urges the Government to establish and announce specific timelines for when the liberalisation is going to begin and the specific processes that are going to be involved in this exercise”, the Commission said in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the PSC, Guyana’s economic advancement and growth is being seriously handicapped by the country’s limited access to bandwidth and affordable high-speed connectivity.

“The PSC looks forward to a telecommunications bill that will ensure unrestricted and unfettered competition by our telecommunications providers,” the Commission said.

It said the absence of high-speed affordable connectivity has left Guyana behind the rest of the world and, indeed, the rest of the Caribbean. It prevents domestic and international investment in the creative innovation of ICT services and the employment and productivity that this investment will produce in every sector of the economy.

“The Private Sector is of the firm belief that technology driven, knowledge-based industries must be the cornerstone of this country’s future… The Private Sector Commission is ready and willing to work with and support the Government, in every way it can, to accelerate the establishment of an ICT sector that will bring our country and the economy into the 21st century.”

GTT, Guyana’s premiere telecommunication company, remains locked with a monopoly in the sector. Calls have been made for the sector to become liberalised so as to allow for more competitiveness and a wider spectrum of options.

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