A TEAM from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently visited Guyana, during which they held talks with Minister of Telecommunications Cathy Hughes and provided her with technical briefings on a variety of issues, including spectrum management.The US Embassy here, in a statement, said that FCC representatives Nese Guendelsberger (Deputy Bureau Chief) and Robert Nelson (Chief Engineer) met with Minister Hughes and provided her with technical briefings on a wide variety of topics, including spectrum management and allocation, regulatory best practices, and telecommunications regulatory policy.

In addition to Minister Hughes, officials from the National Frequency Management Unit, eGovernance Unit, Public Utilities Commission, Guyana Learning Channel Trust, and Guyana Broadcast Board were in attendance.

Minister Hughes and the FCC representatives cited the importance of such capacity-building sessions in assisting the government’s efforts to facilitate the development of world class telecommunications legislation and implementing regulations in order to assist in the development of this growing and vitally important sector of Guyana’s economy.

“The FCC representatives praised the government’s efforts to modernize telecommunications infrastructure, including its recent decision to allow cellular providers to launch 4G service in advance of Guyana’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Both the FCC and the Ministry of Telecommunications pledged to continue cooperation as Guyana advances telecommunications modernisation legislation.

While in Guyana, the FCC officials also had opportunity to participate in the “Girls in Information Communication Technology” event, designed to encourage young women to learn more about information technology.

The FCC representatives highlighted the FCC International Visitors Program and online training as excellent opportunities for young women to become more knowledgeable about, and perhaps pursue careers in, the exciting and constantly changing field of telecommunications.