GT&T Ready for Telecoms Reform
Guyana's incumbent fixed line operator GT&T is willing to enter into negotiations with the country's government to relinquish its exclusive control over international data and voice telephony services, local daily Stabroek News reported.
In a letter to the country's President Bharrat Jagdeo, GT&T said that along with its parent, US-based Atlantic Tele-Network, it would also consider floating a 20% share of the company on Guyana's public stock exchange.
GT&T's monopoly on the long distance voice and data telephony markets came under scrutiny after the Americas II fiber optic cable suffered damage in May.
As all of the country's long distance calls traditionally are routed through the network of GT&T, as an emergency measure mobile competitor Digicel was granted an interim long distance license by Guyana's government to route communications from the country via satellite.
President Jagdeo has been receptive to new market competition and was quoted by the newspaper as criticizing the current telecoms model saying it limits investment in the sector.
"Progress is however being stymied by the monopoly that is enjoyed by the main telephone company. I am convinced that taking decisive steps to end the monopoly and liberalize the telecommunications sector will encourage significant investments," Jagdeo was quoted as saying."
Posted to the site on 4th June 2007
