DIGICEL GUYANA APPALLED AT YET ANOTHER FAILED ATTEMPT AT LIBERALISATION

Guyana’s telecommunications sector continues to operate under outdated GT&T monopoly

Thursday, September 22, 2011 – Georgetown, Guyana:  Digicel Guyana is appalled at yet another aborted attempt at liberalisation in Guyana. This statement is made in light of failure of Parliament today to pass the necessary legislation which would have brought an end to more than twenty years of a monopoly on international calls in Guyana. Despite months of consultations and commitments, the Government pulled the legislation at the 11^th hour.

According to the telecommunications provider, Parliament’s decision to allow the current monopoly to continue crushes Guyana’s hope for lower international calling rates within the near future. It also makes one wonder when the needs of the Guyanese public will take priority over the needs of ATN, GT&T’s parent company. Digicel is requesting that details of the late submission, the reason for the withdrawal of the promised legislation from Parliament today be made available to all stakeholders.

Gregory Dean, CEO of Digicel Guyana comments; “It saddens us to know the people of Guyana will continue to have a lack of choice and sky high prices on international calls as a result of the current international monopoly. This was Guyana’s opportunity to be propelled into a new era of modern, liberalised telecommunications sector where consumers are the real winners. Once again, all of the talk has come to nothing.”

After four years of operating in a monopoly environment, Digicel Guyana was looking forward to finally being able to compete without its hands tied behind its back. Digicel has been able to transform the landscape of domestic telecommunications in Guyana and has expressed commitment to doing the same on the international level. Since Digicel’s entry into the market in 2007, the company has been instrumental in reducing local call rates by more than fifty percent. The barrier to entry resulting from high activation fees of $4,500 was removed and the cost of handsets was reduced significantly even though the quality has improved.  The decision today will further impact Digicel’s ability to invest in accordance with its plans in Guyana.

“It has now been twenty years, nine months and four days since Guyana has been tied to the existing monopoly with no end in sight. This latest in the long line of failed attempts to end GT&T’s monopoly has come as a grave disappointment to Digicel,” Dean concluded.

Digicel entered the Guyanese market in November 2006 through the acquisition of U-Mobile. Since its official launch on February 14, 2007, Digicel Guyana has become the leading mobile operator in Guyana. Its state-of-the-art network, 24/7 Customer Care and wide range of innovative products and services, has driven real change in the Guyanese mobile market.

Digicel was the first and still the only mobile operator in Guyana, to offer unlimited user friendly internet access through its exclusive Blackberry Service. Digicel's innovation in the Telecommunications Sector; brought real value to consumers with per-second billing, Rollover Minutes, International SMS and of course promotions such as Free After 3.

Digicel is committed to delivering value to mobile consumers in Guyana and will continue to innovate in its offerings to ensure that the people of Guyana are benefiting from all its services. It’s commitment to support activities in the sports and entertainment arena and the wider community remains.