Ever since US company Atlantic Tele-Network took over Guyana’s government-owned telecoms company in 1992, they have enjoyed a monopoly on land-lines and international calls as part of the deal. Although this was a 20-year agreement, today, 28 years later, this arrangement remains in place. This despite legislation ending the monopoly passing through Parliament in 2016 and being assented to by the President in August of that year. What remains missing and needing to be done is a commencement order into law by the Minister. In June of 2017, Minister with responsibility for the sector, Cathy Hughes promised that by July of 2017, or as close as possible, the commencement order would be given. Almost three years later, no further progress has been made.

TCI recognises that this issue has severely hampered development in the telecommunications sector, and by extension, related industries. We cannot build infrastructure for the future under the current arrangement. This sloth in development has seen Guyana lose many investment opportunities, revenue, and resulting job creation as the sector struggles to grow, and why the delivery of telecommunication services across Guyana remains grossly uneven. It is also the reason why our telecommunications and data services remain amongst the most expensive and problematic to the paying public. Ending the monopoly and levelling the playing field, allowing investors into Guyana to bring much needed infrastructure and technologies, will speed our country’s growth tremendously as we prepare to leverage and prepare for the Oil & Gas industry growth. In Essequibo for example, businesses and homes remain burdened with a virtual non-existent landline infrastructure and unreliable, limited data services. The continued monopoly and its effects goes against the basic principle of universal access to technology. The Act itself in fact speaks to this principle:

“43. (1) The Minister, in consultation with the Agency, shall determine the
public telecommunications networks and public telecommunications services in respect of
which the requirements of universal access and universal services shall apply, taking into
account –
(a) the needs of the public;
(b) the affordability of such public telecommunications networks
and public telecommunications services;
(c) advances in technologies”
‘Telecommunications Act – Part VII – Universal Access and Universal Services’

Also under consideration here is the power of a member of the executive to indefinitely delay the implementation of law not only passed by the National Assembly but receiving the assent of the Executive itself.

By ending the monopoly, not only will Guyana and Guyanese benefit from investment, new jobs and additional revenue, but the current incumbent will also be able to capitalise on the new developments as it partners with newcomers on related technologies opportunities. TCI recognises how important ending the monopoly is for the benefit of all Guyanese and companies, existing and new, and promises to ensure that this most needed item is dealt with in its first quarter in Parliament. It is after all, highly necessary for the preparation of the foundation for TCI’s Pillar 1: Cyber Sovereignty & Cyber Citizenship.