Georgetown : The Telecommunication Bill and the accompanying Public Utilities Commission (Amendment) Bill were deferred at yesterday’s sitting of the National Assembly as talks continue with the service providers in the telecommunications sector with a view of reaching agreements that will be unanimously supported.
The Telecommunication Bill seeks to provide for an open, liberalised and competitive telecommunications sector that will be attractive to new market entrants and investors, while preserving the activities of the current sector participants.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who tabled the Bills in the House in 2012, said that headway has been made in the discussions with Atlantic Telecommunications Network (ATN), the parent company of Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) and DIGICEL on de-monopolisation and de-liberalisation of the telecoms sector. However, as it stands, no agreement has been reached with GT&T.
“We have been speaking with each other and we took a position that would make such amendments as we thought fit as a result of our discussions and negotiations with them and that we would proceed,” he explained.
Subsequently, a letter was sent to GT&T informing them of this decision. The Prime Minister then laid in the House, amendments that are reflective of the positions that have been accepted.
Prime Minister said yesterday he received a letter from ATN in which it called for further engagements before the final legislation was introduced to the National Assembly.
In keeping with this request, the Prime Minister asked for a deferral of the Bills and said that between now and the end of the recess all pending matters in this regard are expected to be concluded.
APNU MP, Carl Greenidge suggested that the Bill be referred to a special select committee.
By creating a competitive environment for telecommunications, the Bill is expected to result in greater choice, better quality of service and lower prices for consumers.
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