– GTT upgrading to 5G, Digicel slashes data cost by 50 per cent following liberalisation of telecoms sector

By Navendra Seoraj
FOR many years Guyana was criticised for being behind when it comes to technological advancement but government’s liberalisation of the telecommunications sector has released a 30-year ‘grip’ on the country and opened the “flood gates” for investments to flow, in this area.
Already, large companies and key industry players like E-Networks, Digicel and Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) have made commitments to improving their service in light of the anticipated competition stemming from a liberalised sector.
The Government of Guyana had issued Commencement Orders on Monday, fully bringing into force the Telecommunications Act 2016 and the Public Utilities Commission Act 2016.
The orders, which were issued within two months of the government assuming office, are historic, as they align Guyana’s telecommunications regime to those found in other countries the world over, including most Caribbean countries.

It in effect has ended a 30-year anti-competitive telecommunications monopoly that has left Guyanese weary, frustrated and lagging behind in the telecommunications arena.
In 1990, the then PNC government had signed an “exclusive agreement” with Atlantic Tele Network, leading to the creation of GTT.
It was reported that the first exclusive licence was for 20 years with an option of automatic renewal for an additional 15 years in 2010.
“Digicel is today getting ready to bring a new era of connectivity and opportunity to the people of Guyana on the back of the news that the new Government has moved quickly to remove the 31-year GT&T telecoms monopoly which resulted in poor choice, poor quality, poor coverage and poor service,” said the management of Digicel in a statement on Tuesday. Digicel slashed data plans by 50 per cent on Tuesday.

A McKinsey study has shown that 10 per cent higher broadband penetration delivers a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) boost of up to 1.4 per cent, and Guyana is already poised to become the fastest growing economy in the world due to the country’s lucrative oil and gas sector.
Digicel believes that the potential advancement will need to be complemented by “world class” telecommunication services.
To this end, Digicel Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gregory Dean said: “To say that this day has been a long time coming is an understatement. For 16 long years, we have asked, requested, pushed, lobbied and pressured.

FINALLY
“Today, finally, that day is here. At Digicel, we firmly believe that access to broadband is a basic human right. Now, the people of Guyana can look forward to a brighter future with affordable access to world-class connectivity solutions that can catapult them to the forefront of the knowledge and digital economy.”
Dean congratulated the new Government for delivering on its promise and ensuring that there is a level playing field.
“We are stepping into our future with confidence and are getting ready to make the transformational benefits of high-speed connectivity a powerful reality for Guyanese. We look forward to a short administrative process to grant us the necessary permissions to make the desired expansions and upgrades of our services,” said the CEO.

GTT UPGRADING TO 5G

Even GTT has renewed its commitment to advancing telecommunications in Guyana by upgrading its service to 5G.
In telecommunications, 5G is the fifth generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks, which cellular phone companies began deploying worldwide in 2019. This is said to be the planned successor to the 4G networks which provide connectivity to most current cellphones.
“With a fibre Internet network investment that can go from Guyana to the USA and back, GTT is positioned to provide 5G and other next generation services to Guyana.
“We expect that with our planned service enhancements, our customers will not be able to discern a difference in service whether they are in New York or Guyana,” said GTT’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Justin Nedd.
GTT, he said, has been serving Guyana and supporting the ‘evolution’ of the country for almost 30 years. And, even though the sector has been liberalised, the company stands ready to provide “reliable connectivity, new services and technologies” that allow consumers and businesses to thrive and support the growing Guyanese economy.

CATALYST FOR NEW SERVICES
E-Networks Inc. which is ahead of the other companies in terms of 5G service, has welcomed the liberalisation of the sector and sees it as a catalyst for new services on the company’s current platforms, including voice services which were ‘stunted’ due to the monopoly.
Chairman of E-Networks Inc, Rakesh Puri said as a 100 per cent Guyanese-owned and managed company, E-Networks is proud to have invested in providing ICT and Internet-based services over the past 17 years.
“E-Networks operates Guyana’s fastest internet network, with recently introduced 5G services. The company’s fiber optic network also offers gigabit connectivity to businesses, which is 20 times faster than the competitors’ services, and was made possible by the launch of our new subsea international cable,” said Puri.
As mentioned, telecommunications liberalisation delivers substantial socioeconomic benefits to a nation, including lower costs, increased GDP, and more widespread social inclusion and cohesion.

COMING OUT

This long ‘overdue’ development will bring Guyana out of a primitive era of monopoly, plagued by narrow choice and predatory pricing, said Puri, adding: “This move will undoubtedly enable our country to unlock the transformational power of the digital economy, as we embark on our new journey as an oil producing nation.”
The chairman, while congratulating the Government, said the liberalisation will undoubtedly lead to the delivery of advanced ICT and communication services to all Guyanese.
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Nicholas Boyer also anticipates increased competition and improved services, which, he believes, will not only benefit urban communities, but also reach those in the hinterland and other rural areas.
The issue over the years has been related to reliability and cost, said Boyer, adding that the potential conditions created by new investors will encourage reliable services and reduced costs.

NO OUTSTANDING INVESTORS

When asked if any investor is “knocking at Guyana’s door,” CEO of Go-Invest, Peter Ramsaroop said there are no outstanding investors, but with the industry now liberalised, companies will be eyeing the local market and its growing population.
Not only will Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) increase, there will also be room for local expansion and investments, said Ramsaroop.