Caribbean360: Calls to liberalise telecommunications market in Guyana

Calls to liberalise telecommunications market in Guyana
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Chris Hoyos on 15/02/2012 11:18:00
 
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Wednesday February 15, 2012 – Telephone company Digicel is
hoping the Guyana government will consider liberalizing the country’s
telecommunications sector.
Speaking during the country’s fifth anniversary celebrations recently, chief
executive officer, Gregory Dean said DIgicel had invested more than US$70
million so far in Guyana, and had 90 per cent population coverage.
He added that the country also boasts of having upgraded services, network and
data, and disclosed plans for even more expansion in coming years.
But he said, this could only be achieved with a level playing field as it
relates to international services and calls. Dean revealed that Digicel had
plans for expansion, but progress was halted by the slow process of
liberalization.
This, he said, has resulted in the company paying significant sums to the
international service provider, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited
(GT&T), for international services, since Digicel has to make those calls
through GT&T.
Deane also gave the assurance that the company will continue to carry out
network maintenance and upgrades on its existing network as it strives to bring
cellular service to areas which once did not have service.
As it relates to expansion, Digicel is looking at even more remote areas but is
being hindered by the need to develop some roads. As a result, the CEO said the
phone company often resorted to going off the main roads by as much as two to
three miles to set up its towers.
Dean added the rough terrain in some of the hinterland regions resulted in the
company experiencing difficulty providing electricity for its sites, but noted
that challenge was overcome with the implementation of solar panels. Click here
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