The passage of the Telecommunications Act in the National Assembly during the early sessions of the 10th Sitting of the House has been deemed priority by the opposition political parties, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC).
The ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) said that there is no prepared schedule to outline when the issue would be debated before the House.
Speaking with Guyana Times International on January 20, leader of the government side of the House, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds when asked whether the Telecommunications Act would be brought to the fore early on in this sitting of the National Assembly said: “We haven’t gotten to that question just yet.” He explained that it would more than likely be addressed following President Donald Ramotar’s address to Parliament on February 10. After that address, Prime Minister Hinds said there will be a debate on the president’s address. “We will get to it, those things have been flagged… but there is no schedule,” Hinds said.
Leader of the opposition, David Granger said though his party has not yet discussed the issue “It is a matter of priority to us”. He said his party, the APNU, has received several complaints from “different circles” on the matter, but no specified timing has been put forward for discussion.
Opposition Leader David Granger
“It is something important… it will be brought up, “Granger declared. He added that if the telecommunications market is not liberalised soon, then it is likely to affect educational development and communication here generally.
Granger pointed out that the issue will not be discussed before Tuesday as his shadow Cabinet is to meet then. He assured however that, “it is a matter of priority”, and will be discussed at all levels.
Similarly, executive member of the AFC Khemraj Ramjattan, said the issue is one of priority and should have been resolved before the close of the ninth session of the National Assembly.
“We will support the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector… we support the passing of such legislation… we support the passing as early as possible, I see it as part of the legislative agenda.” Ramjattan added that the issue is one that should have received “wide ranging consultations”, and as far as he is aware, government said such consultations were done.
“We don’t want to delay the process any further… it must be a process that is quickly done so all stakeholders can benefit… the liberalisation of the industry must be done soon,” he said.
AFC executive member Khemraj Ramjattan
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer Digicel (Guyana) Gregory Dean said his company has been lobbying for the telecommunications sector to be liberalised.
He said the Guyanese populace would benefit significantly from a liberalised market.
He said the company is basing its hope on the promises made by all political parties in the run up to the 2011 general and regional elections.
“We see no reason why there should be further delay in passing the legislation… there is nothing materially that would see further delays,” Dean told Guyana Times International. Digicel over the years has been pressing strongly for an end to be put on the monopoly held by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) on international calling since it was launched in 2007. The Telecommunications Bill 2011, Bill Number 18 of 2011, was tabled before the National Assembly by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on August 4. It seeks to amend the Telecommunications Act of 1990. The bill allows for the establishment of the Telecommunications Agency as well as to ensure that telecommunications companies operate on a level playing field, thereby creating a highly competitive market.
Having such a bill enacted would provide for an open, liberalised and competitive telecommunications sector that will be attractive to new market entrants as well as investors, while at the same time maintaining the active players within the sector. The new amendments to the Telecommunications Act will see a new legal, regulatory and institutional framework being instituted. The act will now be harmonised with the PUC Act, and would have several regulations ranging from licensing, interconnection and access, pricing, universal access and services, spectrum management, competitive safeguards and consumer protection.
It is intended that the new legislation, once enacted will attract new market entrants and investors, while subscribers will get greater choice, cheaper prices and quality services. Despite the fact that there has been competition in the local communications sector since 2000, the monopoly held by GT& T has somewhat crippled the industry as high prices, poor quality and the lack of choice for consumers did not provide a level playing field for all. Eighty per cent of GT& T is owned by Atlantic Tele Network (ATN), while the remaining 20 per cent is retained by the government.
With the amendments proffered, Guyana’s social and economic development will be expanded, thereby giving unserved residents an opportunity to be serviced.
In 2011, when the draft legislation was submitted to the county’s major telecommunications companies, both expressed some concern with few provisions therein.
GT&T Chief Executive Officer Yog Mahadeo had said, his company is not fearful of competition but believes enacting the proposed legislation would create investor and consumer uncertainty.
He noted that his company views the proposed law and regulations as somewhat farfetched from local challenges within the telecommunications sector, and may give rise to unfair competition.
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