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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 18, 2016
Telecoms Bill for National Assembly today By Ravin Singh L I B E R A L I S AT I O N of the telecommunications sector is imminent with the National Assembly set to debate the long-awaited legislation today. The Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill 2016 is expected to be read for the second time in the National Assembly and pave the way for a rigorous debate. Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes The bill could be passed after the debate, once it is not re-sent to a Special Select Committee for further fine-tuning. The bill has journeyed through years of intense deliberations and consultations, particularly with the two main mobile service providers in the country – the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) and Digicel Guyana. The bill seeks to create
a competitive regime in the telecommunications sector, by providing for an open, liberalised and competitive sector that will be attractive to new market entrants and investors, while preserving the activities of the current participants. As it is, the bill is expected to result in greater choice, better quality of service and lower prices to consumers. It also specifically addresses the expansion of telecommunication networks and services into unserved and under-served areas, through the institution of a new universal access/universal service programmes, in an effort to further national, regional, social and economic development. With the expectation of the bill being passed in the House today, Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes believes that stakeholders who contributed to its drafting are satisfied with it in its current form. “I think they [stakeholders] are satisfied with
Digicel’s CEO, Kevin Kelly the bill as it is,” the minister said. She went on to explain why she was of this view, detailing the history of the bill, which has its origins under the PPP administration. T h e Te l e c o m m u n i cations Bill, which was read for the first time on May 24 of this year, was first introduced in 2011 and revised in 2013. It was with a Special Select Committee in the 10th Parliament and was near
conclusion when Parliament was prorogued in 2014 by then president Donald Ramotar. After the APNU+AFC assumed executive office last year, the bill underwent a new set of consultations with GT&T, Digicel and other stakeholders including the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the University of Guyana (UG) and several non-governmental organisations. It was subsequently submitted to Cabinet. Two overseas consultants, Janice Brendman and Geeta Raghubir were also appointed by the Government to assist in completing the bill. Confident that the bill is one which was crafted to benefit the people of Guyana, the minister boasted of the extensive consultations which were held. She explained that written submissions and oral presentations were made to the Special Select Committee and that committee took into consideration all the recommendations which were made. “The committee considered all of the comments, submissions and presentations which were made. So I don’t think
anyone could say that we didn’t consult enough,” Minister Hughes said. She further went on to point out that the committee took note of those recommendations and suggestions which they incorporated into the bill with the aim of developing the telecommunications sector. However, she revealed that Digicel – one of the two mobile service providers – had some concerns regarding interpretation of the term “Net Neutrality” as is listed in the bill. Minister Hughes noted though that the concern was considered by the select committee. Loosely defined, the term “Net Neutrality” refers to the principle that Internet service providers (such as Digicel and GT&T) should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favouring or blocking particular products or websites. RESERVATION A high-level source also confirmed that Digicel has reservations regarding “Net Neutrality” and that both “Digicel and GTT do not want see page 9