Ramroop internet company launches hi-speed service without telecoms licence

Sep 04, 2014 News

New GPC’s Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop

Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop seems set to earn even millions of dollars more as Global Technology’s iNet Communications has rolled out its high speed internet service using satellites.

The company in making its announcement that was reported in the Wall Street Journal said, “Through its licensed telecommunications provider, iNet Communications, Global Technology is now offering Internet connectivity with download speeds ranging from 512 Kbps to 10 Mbps.”

It is however, unclear how iNet was able to roll out the service at this point in time since from all indications it is yet to receive its Telecommunications Licence.

Three companies, Quark Communications Inc., Global Technology’s iNet Communications and E-Networks were identified to receive Telecommunications Licences under the proposed changes to the Telecommunications Law.

The amendments to that law are still being engaged by a Special Select Parliamentary Committee which is yet to conclude its work.

Global Technology directors include Ramroop, his Secretary Valerie Khan, his Queens Atlantic Investment Inc (QAII) Director, Roopnarine Ramcharitar, George Melville, Jude Phillipneri and Orson Smith.

Ramroop shares a close friendship with former President Bharrat Jagdeo. The friendship, many believe, led to Ramroop’s companies under the rubric of QAII, benefiting immensely from government contracts.

Ramroop was also awarded five radio frequencies by former President Bharrat Jagdeo days before the latter left office in 2011.

Melville was quoted as saying: “We are now the only telecommunications provider with this capability, and we are growing the network with several installations per day.”

Global Technology said that iNet has already deployed the IP Easy satellite solution for several key users, including government and defence, mining, small businesses and residential consumers.

Head of the E-Governance Project, Alexei Ramotar, in a brief interview with this publication yesterday said, that when that project comes on stream, it will not be a case of providing government with access to the internet. As such, he surmised that the arrangement between iNet and Government might continue in future.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

According to Ramotar, the E-Governance project is meant to give access to the public, to government services, as well as interconnect the agencies.

He stressed that the interconnected network will link government services to allow persons to access them. It is not a case where the e-governance project will be providing internet access to Government.

Ramotar said, too, that the fiber optic cable being strung from Brazil did not fall under the E-governance project and as such he could not pronounce on its use.

According to the Wall Street Journal Report “The Global Technology Group is a privately held technology solutions provider that is the combination of three companies: iNet Communications (acquired in 2013), Global Technology Inc. and Global Services Inc. iNet communications is a licensed telecommunications provider in Guyana, specializing in designing, installing and actively managing large data networking solutions for government agencies. iNet has recently (sic) started to offer similar networking solutions to corporations.”