Dear Editor,
I write with reference to a letter appearing in your edition of July 2, 2008 captioned ‘Illegal operators bring international calls using Digicel and GT&T networks’ and the included response from an officer of GT&T.
The writer, Mr Persaud, outlined the difficulties he has experienced with inbound international calls on his phone and then expressed his views about the quality of international service being provided by GT&T, the only licensed international carrier in Guyana.
In their response GT&T gave their explanation of the problem and used this as an opportunity to publish an unauthorized ‘notice.’ What GT&T failed to state was that Digicel informed GT&T that we could not be part of such a public notice as Digicel does not provide international services in Guyana. At a meeting between Digicel and GT&T, Digicel stated its position which GT&T took note of and it was decided that such a joint notice would not be published.
It is therefore very disappointing to see GT&T use this underhand approach.
Digicel would like to make clear, yet again, that we do not hold a licence to route international calls over our network.
GT&T holds the sole licence for international calls, and as a result, Digicel is forced to route all international calls in and out of Guyana, through the GT&T network.
Any difficulties currently being experienced by people making or receiving international calls is not down to the Digicel network. Digicel does not route international calls through its network.
Digicel is very concerned that once again our customers are experiencing unnecessary problems on international calls, and again, we reiterate our call for the need to fully liberalize the mobile communications market in Guyana.
Digicel has already made a considerable investment in developing our own international link, to route international calls into and out of Guyana.
In May 2007, due to numerous disruptions to the GT&T service, the Govern-ment of Guyana granted Digicel a temporary licence to route calls over our own network, which proved a viable alternative to the current agreement.
By fully liberalizing the mobile communications market, it will ensure that the people of Guyana, like Mr Persaud, can conduct their business affairs and keep in touch with their family and friends living abroad, on a reliable network.
Yours faithfully,
Donovan White
Head of Marketing
Digicel Guyana
