THE Alliance For Change (AFC) last Wednesday tabled in the National Assembly the Telecommunications Bill 2012 and the Public Utilities Commission Amendment Bill 2012, and said it looks forward to the support of fellow members of Parliament to ensure the early passage of this Bill. Addressing reporters at the AFC’s weekly press briefing on Wednesday, Parliamentarian Trevor Williams outlined that the Bill provides  for an open, liberalised and competitive telecommunications sector, that will be attractive to new market entrants and investors, while preserving the activities of the current economic participants.
He said the Bill, which includes critical changes to the withdrawn Telecomms 2011 Bill, and Public Utilities Commissions Act 1999, was submitted after consultations with various stakeholders, including the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) company and DIGICEL.
By placing an open and competitive environment to telecommunication, the Bill is expected to result in greater choice, better quality of service, and lower prices to consumers, Williams said.
Among the changes was the provision for a cost-benefit analysis to be undertaken while major trade referee interventions are to be made.
Williams said the AFC has also looked at best practices among other things, since this was an issue raised by the providers. That apart, the party has introduced a concept of respective agencies levying fees on providers in the sector, to allow  the agencies to function fully, but not necessarily seeking to involve profits for the providers.