Twenty thousand Guyanese no longer use landline telephone services and the numbers are continuing to decline, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) company, Justin Nedd said last week.
Meanwhile, over 20,000 persons have signed up for the company’s Blaze internet services and this number is steadily rising as GTT augments its ability to extend its reach, Nedd said.
This information was shared with reporters at a press conference last Tuesday, where Nedd also revealed that international long-distance calling has also reduced, and continues to decline.
The CEO clarified that the increase in Blaze subscriptions has no relationship with the decline in landlines, as Blaze subscribers seem to be keeping their landlines.
Nedd said that the decline in landline use is not surprising, speculating that the falling numbers are likely attributable to young persons who have moved to be on their own, but have opted not to get a landline.
These developments are likely the result of the emergence of a variety of applications which facilitate free text messaging and voice and video calling. Such applications include WhatsApp, Facebook, and Facetime.
