President promises end to telecommunications monopoly

President Donald RamotarGeorgetown: President Donald Ramotar has announced that all efforts will be made in the National Assembly to end the monopoly the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) holds in the sector soon, as Amerindian leaders issue a call for better telecommunications in the hinterland.

This was disclosed today at the 7th annual National Toshaos Council Meeting. The Telecommunications Bill 2012 have been lingering in the National Assembly and government has been postponing the debate while holding consultations with the two local telephone companies, Digicel (Guyana) and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T).

GT&T has a monopoly on landline and international calls and Digicel has long been complaining it is being forced to route its international calls through GT&T, creating an unfair advantage.

Shortly before the 2011 General Elections, government at the last minute pulled the two Bills from the National Assembly.

This was after GT&T, 80% of which is owned by Atlantic Tele-Network (ATN) of the US, acknowledged that it has a monopoly and was prepared to negotiate about the impending liberalisation.

Government has said that a number of companies are poised to enter the sector and the under-development is heavily affecting Guyana’s thrust.