Wanted: A new foundation for telecommunications in Guyana

Alethia Russell
JRNL4230
Facing a challenging infrastructure with businesses and the economy suffering from lack
of communication, Guyanas government privatized the telecommunications sector moving it
from a state monopoly to a private monopoly as a part of a more broad economic development
initiative in the late 1980s. In 1991, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph began servicing
Guyanas telecommunication needs under 20 year contracts.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the telecommunications sector had already allowed
itself to transform and progress the nation, and the legislation did not trail the progress. Five
years after Guyana formed GT&T, The Telecommunications Act of 1996 revolutionized the U.S.
telecommunication sector, 12 years after the disbanding of the monopoly holder AT&T, providing
stipulations that opened the market for entrance for companies big and small to take part in any
part of the telecommunications process. As a result, the market opened to innovators who
joined in to lower the cost of access and provide a variety of services to the people while also
stimulating the economy.
In a society where staying connected is on the forefront of many aspects of a persons
life it is hard to imagine communication as an issue. Current Digicel CEO Gregory Dean stated
in an article for The Guyana Times that Guyana is the only Caribbean nation without 3G or
faster mobile services with an internet penetration rate well below 10 percent .
The Telecommunications Bill of 2012 , much like the act that pushed the U.S. into the
modern age, seeks to establish a telecommunications agency that will open and allow for a
competitive telecommunications sector to form. Digicel is currently a mobile service provider
aiming to reach out into other areas including broadband, but faces the sector currently
monopolized by GT&T. The bill has been tabled twice since its presentation in 2012, although
officials such as Prime Minister Hinds stated previously the Government is hoping to pass the
bill before years end .3
In 2014, it is no longer a privilege to have internet or phone access and in countries
lacking stable phone and internet access it should be a concern to their leaders. Internet World
Stats reported of the population 857,200 only 0.3% of those persons used internet in 2000. The
latest report from 2008, shows almost 25 % of the population are internet users.4 Reportedly,
the passage of the bill includes Government plans to install 100 Wi-Fi hubs in the interior to
provide internet for those residents free of charge.5
Hindering this bill is also hindering Guyana. Its hindering education efforts, that could
utilize the world wide web as an information portal. Its hindering businesses from processing
and providing consumers fast and efficient customer services that could boost Guyanas
economy. Its hindering the indigenous areas hopes of establishing more lines of
communication to the heavily populated outskirts of Guyana. Opening the telecommunications
sector to competition will give more companies an opportunity to provide Guyana with a pivotal
service of our time, but only if Parliament gives them the opportunity to bring their abilities to the
sector.
Parliament should take an active approach in making sure the remaining discussions
needed to pass the Telecommunications Bill are held as soon as possible so Guyana can move

forward. The creation of the new and improved telecommunications sector is not possible
without the terms and conditions of the Telecommunications Bill fully ironed out. The potential of
Guyana will not come into fruition without a foundation to serve it.
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About GT&T, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph, accessed October 28, 2014, http://mail.gtt.co.gy/aboutgtt.html
Sveltlana Marshall , Uncertainties in Parliament hinder telecoms upgrade Digicel CEO, The Guyana Times, October 26, 2014,
accessed October 30,2014, http://www.guyanatimesgy.com/2014/10/26/uncertainties-in-parliament-hinder-telecoms-upgradedigicel-ceo/.
3

Hinds upbeat about freeing up of telecoms sector, Guyana Times, April 8,2014, accessed October 30, 2014,
http://www.guyanatimesgy.com/2014/04/08/hinds-upbeat-about-freeing-up-of-telecoms-sector/.
4

Internet World Stats. Guyana Internet Usage and Market Report, last modified May 29,2014.
http://www.internetworldstats.com/sa/gy.htm. Accessed October 30, 2014.
5
Jomo Paul, Digicel plans to roll in new fibre optic cable, The Guyana Times, October 14, 2014, accessed October 20,2014,
http://www.guyanatimesgy.com/2014/10/14/digicel-plans-to-roll-in-new-fibre-optic-cable/.

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 and its impact, Nicholas Economides, accessed November 3,2014.
http://www.stern.nyu.edu/networks/telco96.html