Telecoms liberalization legislations debate set for next House sitting

Jun 25, 2016 News

The liberalisation of the telecommunications sector in Guyana will be beneficial to citizens, the government and all stakeholders in the industry.

Minister Catherine Hughes

This is the view expressed by Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes.
The Minister explained that the increase in spectrum recently allocated to the two major telephone companies in Guyana – Digicel and the Guyana Telephone Telegraph (GTT)- has allowed them to raise the platforms and levels on which they operate.
This has resulted in Guyanese now accessing for the first time 4G internet service – the fourth generation of telecommunications technology.
“I know that they are still testing the platform, implementing and bringing in new equipment to develop the 4G network, but at the end of the day, we are going to see improvements whereby the consumers would be able to download faster on their phones, at faster speed, documents and a wide range of other things,” Minister Hughes explained.
The Minister said the sector’s development will put government in a better position to offer its services to the people, therefore improving its functions. This, the Minister explained is the mandate of the Public Telecommunications Ministry, along with the E-Governance Unit.
“Think about all the agencies, the NIS, the tax office GRA, and all of those agencies that the E-Government and telecommunications have a responsibility to help them develop the types of services and to include Information Communication Technology (ICT) in the provision of those services, so that’s why I say this legislation is going to be revolutionary,” the Minister explained.
The Public Telecommunications Minister added that the Telecommunications Bill No. 15 of 2016 when passed in the National Assembly will see the establishment of a Telecommunications Agency.
The Bill which was subject to extensive consultations was presented to the National Assembly on May 24, 2016.
The Bill is expected to be debated at the next sitting of the National Assembly scheduled for June 30.
With the opening up of the sector, government is banking on new companies to bring a range of services including faster internet, more landlines and expansion to the hinterland area.
As of now, GTT has the monopoly on landline and international calls.

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