By Ravin Singh

LIBERALISATION of the telecommunications sector is imminent with the National Assembly set to debate long-awaited legislation today. The Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill 2016 is expected to be read for the second time in the National Assembly and pave the way for a rigorous debate. The Bill could be passed after the debate once it is not re-sent to a Special Select Committee for further fine-tuning.
The Bill has journeyed through years of intense deliberations and consultations, particularly with the two main mobile service providers in the country – the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) and Digicel Guyana.
The Bill seeks to create a competitive regime in the telecommunications sector, by providing for an open, liberalised and competitive sector that will be attractive to new market entrants and investors, while preserving the activities of the current participants.
As it is, the Bill is expected to result in greater choice, better quality of service and lower prices to consumers. The Bill also specifically addresses the expansion of telecommunication networks and services into unserved and under-served areas, through the institution of a new universal access/universal service programme, in an effort to further national, regional, social and economic development.
With the expectation of the Bill being passed in the House today, Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes believes that stakeholders who contributed to the drafting of the bill are satisfied with it in its current form.
“I think they [stakeholders] are satisfied with the Bill as it is,” the minister said.

She went on to explain why she was of this view, detailing the history of the Bill, which has its origins under the PPP administration.
The Telecommunications Bill, which was read for the first time on May 24 of this year, was first introduced in 2011 and revised in 2013. It was with a Special Select Committee in the 10th Parliament and was near conclusion when Parliament was prorogued in 2014 by then president Donald Ramotar.
After the APNU+AFC assumed executive office last year, the Bill underwent a new set of consultations with GT&T, Digicel and other stakeholders including the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) the University of Guyana (UG) and several non-governmental organisations. It was subsequently submitted to Cabinet. Two overseas consultants, Janice Brendman and Geeta Raghubir, were also appointed by the Government to assist in completing the Bill.
Confident that the bill is one which was crafted to benefit the people of Guyana, the minister boasted of the extensive consultations which were held. She explained that written submissions and oral presentations were made to the Special Select Committee and that committee took into consideration all the recommendations which were made.
“The committee considered all of the comments, submissions and presentations which were made. So I don’t think anyone could say that we didn’t consult enough,” Minister Hughes said.
She further went on to point out that the committee took note of those recommendations and suggestions which they incorporated into the Bill with the aim of developing the telecommunications sector.
However, she revealed that Digicel – one of the two mobile service providers – had some concerns regarding interpretation of the term “Net Neutrality” as is listed in the Bill. Minister Hughes noted though that the concern was considered by the select committee.
Since 2011, Digicel has decried GT&T’s 20-plus years monopolistic control of the sector, which the company said has not been in the interest of the Guyanese people. More recently, in May of this year, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Digicel, Kevin Kelly, said GTT had held the nation back for over 20 years.
But according to a high-level source, Digicel’s only reservation is not with the term “Net Neutrality.” In fact, the source revealed that the Irish-based company has more reservations regarding contents of the Bill. The source stressed that Digicel appears to be backpedalling on its call for liberalisation of the sector, since it is not in agreeance with aspects of the Bill.
Digicel’s CEO Kevin Kelly did not respond to questions put to him through the company’s Public Relations Officer.
GTT sought to reaffirm its commitment to serving the people of Guyana, when quizzed on its ability to provide high-quality services to compete with potential service providers.
Asked whether GT&T has reservations regarding aspects of the Bill, the company responded, “GTT is reviewing the bill and awaiting an opportunity to engage in contractual negotiation. GTT is very supportive of liberalisation and is excited to bring new and exciting services to Guyana.”
Further, GT&T said that it will continue to position itself to be a winner in the market as they look forward to seeing a level playing field and ensuring that the rule of law is respected.
However, when asked specifically if the company is pleased with the Bill in its current form, the service provider responded, “We are eager to engage GoG [Government of Guyana] on liberalisation.”
Minister Hughes maintained, however, that she was unaware of these additional concerns outside the net neutrality issue, if there were indeed any, given the fact that she was not part of the Special Select Committee.
The minister said though that she is confident that the Bill is one which is designed to benefit all of Guyana.
“I am confident that the bill will be good for the telecommunications sector in Guyana. Digicel and GTT will have issues with aspects of the Bill, but we think that there were enough consultations and everything that was said and proposed were taken into consideration at the level of the select committee. We have a Bill that [is] going to benefit all of Guyana, not just one company or one stakeholder,” the minister said.