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Int’l call rates reduction…Digicel vows to defend decision
Mobile giant, Digicel, has vowed to aggressively defend its decision to slash international call rates, despite criticisms by government and an appeal to a court decision by competitor, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T).
High Court judge, Justice Rishi Persaud, ruled that the monopoly held by GT&T to provide telecommunications service or to regulate voice and data transmission over the internet is unlawful and void.
Digicel CEO, Gregory Dean
Digicel has indicated that it had long challenged GT&T’s claim to a monopoly on international services in Guyana since 1990. GT&T said this week that it has appealed the ruling.
Government has not been too happy with the move by Digicel to slash the international rates, saying that the matter is being appealed.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon noted that “the unilateral amendments and alteration to existing telecommunication rates based on Justice Persaud’s ruling is inconsistent with Justice Persaud’s ruling, since that ruling was stayed on an appeal by GT&T.”
Digicel has announced up to 88 percent reduction on international calling rates following the High Court’s ruling on GT&T’s monopoly.
According to Digicel yesterday, it is willing and ready to fight any legal action mounted by or on behalf of GT&T and will aggressively defend its legal right to provide low cost international calls to the people of Guyana.
Chief Executive Officer, Gregory Dean noted that “Digicel has long promised the people of Guyana that it would provide hugely reduced rates for international calling and the company is determined to do so.”
“As champion of the consumer, we immediately made good on that commitment following the Court’s decision. We are ready and willing to compete with GT&T and challenge them to take us on where it matters – in the market. Is GT&T ready and/or willing?” Dean asked.
Digicel said that it has written to the Court Services of Guyana, stating it is ready and available at short notice to appear before the Courts to defend any efforts which may be made to prevent Digicel’s ability to provide low cost international calls to the people of Guyana.
“The company fully expects that it will be notified of any legal action that may be mounted to resurrect the GT&T monopoly and be given a proper opportunity to fight for the rights of the Guyanese consumer in any legal action that may be pursued.”
Digicel insisted that Guyanese have been paying too much for international calls because of GT&T’s monopoly – a monopoly that the latter said was only on paper, since there are widespread instances of illegal bypasses.
“Guyanese have been ripped off for too long and we will not sit idly by and allow a return to the bad old days of monopoly prices. We are thrilled with the incredible response we have received from the public and sincerely thank all those who have expressed their support and encouragement. Digicel wishes to assure all Guyanese that it will not give up this battle for lower rates as well as better and more widely available services,” Dean said in the statement yesterday.
After 11 years of operation, Digicel Group Limited claims to have over 12.8 million customers across its 30 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific.
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