NGOs Study Telecoms Privatizations, Abusive Practices"

Two Central American NGOs are carrying out a study of the effects of privatization on the telecoms and electricity industries in the region, investigating abusive practices allegedly carried out by some of the companies involved, Rubiel Cajar, president of Panamanian NGO Fundecu, told BNamericas Wednesday.

The study was prompted by practices such as privatization contracts that grant concessionaires monopolies of up to 10 years and rate increases of up to 400% compared to those allowed for state-run telcos, said Cajar.

One of the companies being analyzed very closely is mobile group Am

Posted to the site on 12th January 2006