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Withunder 30 weeks to go, liberalisation of the Cayman Islands' muchadvanced telephone services is in full gear now that ...
Gov't/C&W Begin Talks
In a jointstatement issued Monday, 22 April the Government of the CaymanIslands and Cable & Wireless "formally commenced negotiationsto facilitate the liberalization of the telecommunications marketin the Cayman Islands."
Mr Tim Adam,Mr Kearney Gomes
Chairing the meeting was Mr. Kearney Gomez,MBE, JP, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Planning, Communications,Works and Information Technology; and Cable & Wireless' teamled by the company's General Manager, Mr. Tim Adam.
It is understood that there are four memberson each side, with Mr. Adam and Mr. Gomez continuing to functioningas the respective leaders for each team.
Among the anticipated players who may bevying for a share of Cayman's market still limited market maybe the US telecommunications giant ATT and another firm reportedto be Meridian from California. There is also speculation thattwo of Jamaica's providers of cellular/wireless services may joinin the fray to get a piece of the Cayman market.
According to a local IT industry specialist,the space for wireless communications in the Cayman Islands isstill wide open and offers opportunity for entities willing toinvest in the Cayman market.
While the European GSM technology, whichallows for multipurpose use and roaming between Europe, the USand Canada, such is not yet available locally. Cable and Wireless,however, does provide roaming service for local cellular subscriberswho can receive and place calls while in North America, Canada,throughout the Caribbean and as far away as Hong Kong.
Whether or not the liberalization of Cableand Wireless' monopoly will include a mandate whereby other communicationsproviders will be able to utilize the hardwire and plant whichhas cost the company estimated to be well in excess of $100 millionover the years in Cayman
The real concern, however remains as towhether or not telephone communication rates will go down, becauseof the entry of other companies.