Dear Editor,
Please permit me to render some observations in simple language (not my technology jargon) on what the Government must do to fully leverage its wise decision to liberalize the Telecom/Digital sector. Most citizens are cock-eyed on oil, but Telecom liberalization is perhaps the second biggest business event to occur for Guyana in 20 years. Expect significant jobs and growth opportunities, once bandwidth becomes available. After witnessing and being part of the Technology/Digital revolution in several Developed Nations over the past 30 years it’s imperative that Guyana works now to strengthen its Anti-Trust regulation for the Telecom Sector.
Pricing collaboration – no, Ownership direct or indirect levels must be set or established, no collusion, interconnectivity, hardware independence, equal market entry, are strong ambits to regulate (up front not after the fact) and assure 10 years from now we don’t end up at the same point today with one or 2 companies or individuals owning or controlling 80% of our Telco/Information/Digital infrastructure. The focus must be around voice and data, but it goes beyond into Content, Storage and Media, etc. Additionally, our data privacy, retention, security and data protection regulations must be strengthened. Telecom today is not just about phone calls!
We don’t need new laws that govern technology standards, let the market decide, else we will thwart innovation. Remember AOL, Blackberry, all have been relegated to the dustbin of history. ATT (Ma Bell) was broken up in the early 80’s, which gave birth to the growth of Verizon, Sprint, Comcast, etc. etc. One can surmise if liberalization did not occur the internet would not be what it is today. WhatsApp, Skype, Webex, Zoom are examples, they dented the cost of international calls. Eventually calling cards will be a thing of the past, once internet becomes affordable and available for most Guyanese nationwide.
Guyana is deficient in back-office automation both public and private, online (Internet) for simple Business/ Government transactions, online banking enhancements and cash access, online payment processing are areas for significant improvements via liberalization (IMF recent global study). There is also a larger component, how foreign ownership is regulated and the sourcing of equipment/ hardware infrastructure which adds security to our Nation. Many of our gas stations and convenience stores can now become Payment and ATM hubs, and make money. There should be some local content minimum requirements.
Sometimes we in Guyana attempt to reinvent the wheel, imposing months and years on our endeavours. In technology the first rule is to borrow – reuse and then innovate. We can learn from the rest of the world and make the quantum leap into the 21st century. The trickledown effect is enormous and transformational for our Nation, now we must deliver!
Yours faithfully,
Everton Morris
Technology Management Executive,
Re-Migrant
