Government is well on its way to completing the appropriate framework for the liberalisation of the telecoms sector, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said on Tuesday.
He was at the time delivering the feature address at the National Consultations on the Draft Regional Digital Development Strategy at the Regency Hotel, where he called for closer collaboration among regional bodies with regards to devising strategies to maximise the benefits of Information Communication Technology (ICT).
The Government Inform-tion Agency (GINA) reported that Hinds said government recognises that among the major players, the drive to grow and employ new technologies in many ways is consistent with the national developmental objectives.
“We are going to liberalise our telecoms sector so that it can be one that will bring great potential to all Guyanese…we are well on our way to completing the appropriate framework which includes new legislation on licencing, inter-connection and access, pricing, spectrum management, consumer protection, universal access and competitive safeguards,” Hinds was quoted as saying.
He said that government also recognises that in order to fast-track Guyana’s evolution in harnessing the opportunities presented by technological change, it must engage in timely public sector-driven efforts. The One Laptop Per Family project was highlighted.
Hinds said to complement this vast ICT drive, government has facilitated the relevant training and 2,000 teachers have benefitted so far.
The government’s fibre-optic cable from Brazil is also nearing completion, GINA reported.
