CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Mohamed Sattaur has announced that National Communications Network (NCN) will be switching to the ‘Bigger Better Network’, Digicel.
In a statement on the company’s website, he said, among other things, he was surprised that the CEO of Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), Mr. Yog Mahadeo claimed NCN requested $2M to broadcast the recently concluded 10/10 cricket tournament finals live on radio and television. Sattaur’s refutation, which was also on Facebook, said NCN was asking $1.5M for provision of the services, which represented 40 percent of the actual cost, if one were to displace the revenues due for provision of the 15 hours of airtime.
The CEO of NCN said his counterpart at GT&T was trying to blame his company for the non-coverage of the event on television.
Sattaur insisted that the statements by Mahadeo, that NCN was left like the dog without a bone, is a low blow.
Referring to newspaper articles that quoted Mahadeo. Sattaur’s refutation ended by saying that he was switching to the ‘Bigger, Better Network’.
Contacted, subsequently, about the NCN decision, CEO of GT&T, Mr. Yog Mahadeo said he heard of it and remnarked: “I will not debase myself to that level to even read or respond to Mr. Mohamed Sattaur’s statement.”

Failed negotiations
The fallout between the telecommunications entity and the broadcast company stemmed from failed negotiations between the two for live coverage of the recently concluded 10/10 cricket tournament finals at the Guyana National Stadium last Saturday.
On Saturday, Sattaur had said he would not comment much on the issue, only to say the two sides did not agree on everything and, as such, only radio broadcast of the games was possible then.
Mahadeo, on the other hand, said NCN waited up to the last moment to hike the charge, by almost 100 percent, for covering the games.
He said he was surprised by the move and disclosed that his company intends to review its business relations with NCN.
At a Wednesday press conference, Mahadeo apologised to all the persons who were unable to leave their homes to watch the games and their inability to view them on television.
He assured fans and customers that, for the next big event being hosted, GT&T will have alternative arrangements in place to prevent the hurt experienced last Saturday.
Educational promotions
Mahadeo told the media that the activities such as ‘Feel the Beat’, cricket games and educational promotions for schools are not for gain but used an as avenue to give back to the society.
Questioned about the feasibility of promoting such large and extravagant activities without looking for returns, he explained that it is possible due to the support from customers.
Mahadeo assured that, once the company continues to get more people on its network, then Guyana will see similar programmes being rolled out by GT&T.