The government is currently in the advanced stages of awarding another telecommunications licence for a 5G carrier.
This was disclosed in a statement today by Prime Minister Mark Phillips to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector.</ p>
Phillips provided no further hint on who the new 5G operator will be.
He also said that the new submarine cable to be landed by U-Mobile (Cellular) Inc trading as Digicel is expected to lead to more competition for international data and international long distance service and lower prices especially for high-speed internet.
The Prime Minister, who has responsibility for the telecoms sector, traced developments since the October 5th, 2020 liberalisation and argued that benefits had accrued to the public.
He pointed out that the government granted new licences to the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company Limited (GTT) and U-Mobile (Cellular) Inc., and also issued a licence to a third operator, E-Networks Inc..
Further, on October 23rd 2020, seven accompanying Telecommunications Regulations became effective: Licensing and Frequency Authorisation; Spectrum Management; Universal Access and Universal Services; Interconnection and Access; Pricing; Consumer Protection; and Competition.
As a consequence of this, the PM said that competition has increased and modern (4G and beyond) service is being extended to previously underserved areas, e.g., the Essequibo coast.
He contended that competition is driving innovation as companies move to improve service and keep/acquire customers and operators are investing in networks to provide modern and up-to-date services to Guyanese in order to win and retain customers.
He said that all operators are moving to roll out 4G, 4.5G and 5G networks.
The PM pointed out that GTT recently moved their data plan expiry rollover window from one hour to 24 hrs.
“Therefore, a person whose data plan with that carrier expires say at 10pm on Sunday does not lose a data balance but has the option to reactivate during convenient and normal hours the next day. This is a direct response to the prospect of more choice in the market”, he said.
The Prime Minister also cited the “Double your data plans” offered by Digicel whereby customers get more data for the same spend and added that the wholesale prices for Internet bandwidth are being reduced.
He also stated that the government recognises that the capacity of the regulatory bodies must be built. In this regard, he said that the government is committed to strengthening the Telecommunications Agency in preparation for regulating in a liberalised environment.
In addition, he said that the Public Utilities Commission has also done much work to prepare for the expected influx of opportunities. One significant achievement, he said, was the establishment of an internal monitoring unit to ensure that effective monitoring and compliance with the required quality of service standards are maintained by operators.
“Looking forward, the PUC will be working in strict adherence to the provisions of the Telecommunications Act No. 18 of 2016, particularly in the areas of monitoring the competition in the market by creating modules on monitoring and reporting of anti-competitive behaviour; reviewing the interconnection agreements between the operators as well as the Commission’s existing sanctions policy and enforcement policy; examining existing Quality of Service (QOS) and making recommendations for reform; launching online surveys on QOS issues; conducting public consultation on expectations of liberalisation and continuing to process consumers’ complaints”, the Prime Minister stated.
