Georgetown: The Telecommunications Bill No. 15 of 2016 when passed in the National Assembly will see the establishment of a Telecommunications Agency. The Bill was presented to the National Assembly on May 24, 2016 by Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes.
The Bill which was read for the first time by Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaac will also provide for the regular coordinated, open and competitive telecommunication sector and for connected matters.
In a recent interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Minister Hughes had said that once passed, the Bill will specifically address the expansion of telecommunications services into remote areas in Guyana.
The passage of the Bill will also allow Guyanese the opportunity to enjoy better telecommunications services, and wider and faster internet bandwidth. The Bill has been the subject of extensive consultations with the relevant stakeholders prior to its presentation.
The Bill was crafted to build a competitive system in the telecommunications sector, and is expected to result in greater choice, better quality of service and lower prices for consumers. This will provide for an open, liberalised sector that will attract new markets and investors.
The Telecommunications Bill was introduced in 2011 and revised in 2013 in the 10th parliament. In 2015, Cabinet approved for two legal consultants to be hired to fine- tune and make adjustments to the Bill.
Minister Hughes also presented the Public Utilities Commission Bill of 2016, Bill No 16 of 2016 – a bill intituled an act to provide for the establishment and functions and procedures of the public utilities commission and for matters connected.
Both, the Telecommunications and Public Utilities Commission Bills are expected to be read for a second time and then debated at the next sitting of the National Assembly.
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