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Liberalisation row…GT&T challenges Digicel to release its financials
The debate over liberalisation of the telecommunication industry has revved up once again with the two giants’ Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) and Digicel (Guyana) trading blows.
Yesterday, GT&T called on Digicel to make public its financial statements that would corroborate claims that GT&T’s supposed monopoly on international calls is hurting the entity.
Chief Executive Officer, Yog Mahadeo, also deemed outrageous, claims by Digicel’s boss, Gregory Dean, that GT&T’s US-based parent company, Atlantic Tele-Network (ATN), pressured the Guyana government to delay the passage of two key Parliamentary bills that would have allowed other similar companies to enter the market.
From right is GT&T’s Nadia DeAbreu, Public Relations Officer; CEO Yog Mahadeo, Pastor Selwyn Sills and Nicola Duggan, Marketing Officer.
Mahadeo yesterday insisted that his company does not enjoy a monopoly in international calls, especially by the large number of illegal bypasses of illegitimate calls utilizing the internet traffic.
Digicel wants a free hand on the international calls which currently has to be routed through GT&T because of an exclusive agreement signed since the early 1990s when that company entered the Guyana market. GT&T is 80% owned by ATN while the remaining stake is held by the Guyana government.
Mahadeo, during the press conference at the company’s Brickdam head offices, also pointed out that GT&T has been publishing its financial “religiously” every quarter.
“I would say walk the talk, let’s see what poor returns there are, because I don’t believe so.”
Dean stated Monday that it was not the norm for his company to release its financials, but expressed confidence that the new parliament will pass the Telecommunications Bill and Public Utilities Commission Amendment Bill.
Mahadeo also insisted that GT&T welcomed any moves to free up the sector, but it must be done in a manner that takes into account existing facilities, ongoing investments and other crucial factors.
Meanwhile, over the past year, GT&T has plugged some serious money into several projects as a way of building stronger ties with its customers and Guyanese alike.
The GT&T boss did not immediately deny that over half of a billion dollars has been spent on sponsoring ColorFest, Fastball, Jamzone, 10-10 cricket, and its Jingle and Song Competition.
Describing the year as an average one, the executive disclosed that following its recent launching of the Blackberry smartphone service, more than 4,000 subscribers have already signed up.
The current Jingle and Song competition, which comprises English and Bollywood segments, has been wildly popular and cost GT&T over $85M, monies that are not seeing immediate financial returns.
Tonight, the Grand Finale of the Jingle and Song Competition in the English Segment is set to be held at the National Cultural Centre where one of 10 persons who sang their way into the hearts of Guyanese will walk away with the keys to a car.
The Bollywood segment’s Grand Finale is expected to be held on January 6th at Albion, East Berbice with popular Trinidad-based Karma Band will highlight the show with local artistes.
Tomorrow night, GT&T’s Magical Night of Christmas is to be held at the National Park with a host of songs and Christmas carols, among other entertainment.
But it is on Friday that the company expects the culmination of Christmas promotions.
The entity has been running a points promotion, with customers qualifying by using texts, calls and top-ups to gather those points.
Some 30 persons will be selected for a game show Friday at the National Cultural Centre where Guyana will have its own “Deal or No Deal” show. Participants will be asked to selected cases and can barter, sell or exchange it for a brand new home.
Members of the audience will also be participating in a “Price is Right” style game winning flat screen TVs, Blackberry smartphones, and other goodies.
On January 20th, GT&T will also be sponsoring a major gospel concert featuring Donnie McClurkin, an American gospel music singer and minister. He has won three Grammy awards, ten Stellar awards, two BET awards, two Soul Train awards, one Dove award and one NAACP Image award for his work.
That show, in collaboration with Praise Tabernacle Assemblies of God Church from Linden, is set to be held at the National Stadium, Providence.
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