GT&T, internet cafes continuing talks
Following the most recent discussions between GT&T and the Internet Interest Holders Group (IIHG), GT&T has removed the blockage on certain Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and Virtual Private Networks (VPN) websites, allowing some internet cafés, which were forced to close, the chance to resume business.
However, according to an official from GT&T, this move was done to benefit the Internet Service Providers (ISP) so that they could pass it on to their customers who possess devices such as the Yap Jack.
However, the members of the IIHG and GT&T are continuing their deliberations in an attempt to find a solution to the current impasse between them.
The IIHG, a group of internet café owners and managers, had protested against GT&T’s recent decision to block access to VOIP and VPN sites, which allow users to make international calls through the internet. The group is also protesting against the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) announcement that it will pursue and prosecute businesses that offer international telephone calls over the internet since it was “illegal”.
Stabroek News was told that on Monday, GT&T officials met with several internet café’ owners and once again outlined a proposal which was mentioned previously at a meeting of such persons. Based on this proposal, GT&T is willing to facilitate the continued use of VOIP by internet café owners, if this is done through their company. This would require the internet café owners paying US$60 for a “box”, a $10,000 monthly rental fee for DSL and buying minutes from GT&T. The company urged those gathered to consider the proposal and said that they were willing to negotiate.
When Stabroek News contacted Stephen Thompson, the head of the IIHG on Thursday, he said that his group was most likely going to submit a proposal sometime during the course of the day. Although, reluctant to disclose the full details of their proposal, he said that the internet café owners were not happy with the deal, and emphasized that the group was most opposed to being forced to purchase minutes from GT&T. He said that most of the internet café owners purchase their minutes from local representatives of overseas companies and said that these minutes were being sold at a cheaper rate, than what GT&T was offering.
He said that GT&T has promised to hold another meeting with the group and other interested parties as soon as the proposal is reviewed.
Nevertheless, Thompson insists that his group is advocating that the internet be free and fairly opened to all.
At a meeting held by the IIHG last Saturday, attorney-at-law Stephen Fraser said GT&T had no legal right over the internet service in Guyana, since it was never granted such right by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). He, however, advised the body to proceed with caution, since it found itself in a troublesome spot since it was being threatened by GT&T, GRA and the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) all at the same time.
