Caribbean nationals can expect to benefit from an estimated 70 percent reduction in roaming charges from as early as the second quarter of this year following Wednesday’s signing of a declaration between Grenada and two major telecommunications providers.
“CARICOM residents will now roam in CARICOM States at significantly reduced cost up to 70% saving by one estimate,” the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) said in a press release after Wednesday’s signing.
The declaration, the release said will result in the reduction of intra-Caricom roaming charges and facilitate the provision of seamless mobile (cellular) services including voice, SMS text and data.
Importantly, it added that citizens’ charges will be “predictable” and “transparent” resulting in the elimination of severe bill shock that has been experienced in the past. “CARICOM Citizens will start enjoying the benefits of the reduction of roaming charges as early as the second quarter of this year,” the CTU statement said.
Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr Keith Mitchell and service providers, Cable and Wireless (C&W) and Digicel- a major mobile company in Guyana – on Wednesday signed the declaration in St George’s, Grenada in what was said to be the first step in a journey to achieving total elimination of roaming charges for Caribbean citizens.
Several years ago, the removal of roaming charges was identified as an urgent step for Caricom Heads of Government. However, progress on the initiative was slow.
In the coming days and weeks, they are scheduled to roll out new rates and charges that will be designed to ensure customers save significantly.
It is likely that Digicel Guyana will also be joining the initiative. However, details on the plan remain unknown up to yesterday.
In an invited comment yesterday, the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph (GTT) Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Mobile Service, Richard Stanton through the company’s Public Relations Manager, Jasmin Harris said that while GTT is not a party to the agreement, it is engaging the relevant parties on the details of the arrangement with a hope of implementing steps so that its customers can also benefit.
Grenada Prime Minister, Dr Mitchell, the Lead CARICOM Head of Government with responsibility for Science and Technology on Wednesday said that the signing of The Declaration of St. George’s Towards the Reduction of Intra-CARICOM Roaming Charges signals the beginning of new opportunities for the region.
Dr Mitchell had said that he believes that the critical reduction in roaming charges will help drive digital commerce, regional integration and economic development and will have a greater impact when total elimination is achieved. “The current, unpredictable cost of mobile roaming deters Caricom citizens from using their mobile phones as they travel throughout the region,” he said.
“This declaration therefore means that our citizens will have the option to use their mobile phones as they move freely within the single space at reduced cost. Our citizens will be able to travel without a fear of incurring the normal exorbitant charge for voice and data usage as they conduct business and keep in touch with loved ones and their businesses,” Mitchell added.
He noted that Caribbean leaders will continue to push for the elimination of roaming charges.
Meanwhile, representatives of Digicel and Cable and Wireless pledged their commitment towards working with stakeholders to deliver greater opportunities to customers.
