Regional Communications Landscape Changing
The landscape for regional telecommunications services appears set for a massive transformation as two of the major markets, Barbados and Jamaica, where Cable and Wireless once dominated are opening to competition.
The base for opening of the field to other players in the sector in those countries is introduction of new telecommunications laws that removed the C&W monopoly, similar to a new act currently being discussed in the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly.
Jamaica is more advanced in this direction and is now issuing invitations for a fourth cellular communications company while in Barbados there are reports of three cellular companies seeking to get into competition with C&W.
C&W has held the monopoly on service in most English-speaking Caribbean countries Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago being two known exceptions through agreements with governments which saw this international communications giant laying down the infrastructure over the years for development of phone and phone-related services. With the rapid onset of revolution in communications technology, some regional administrations saw a need to invite added service providers on to the scene and have been moving to open markets through changes in legislation.
Seven countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States are also jointly seeking to change their market from the monopoly.
The name of the company successful in the bid to become Jamaica's fourth cellular service provider will be announced in mid-May and is to begin operations in March next year.
In addition to C&W, two international companies, Digicel and Centennial, are holders of cellular phone service licences in Jamaica.
There is speculation that among bidders for the fourth licence is American giant, AT&T. On this matter the Gleaner newspaper has quoted Technology Minister, Mr. Phillip Paulwell, saying "We have been receiving, since the middle of last year, a number of expressions of interest many of which have come from large and dynamic telephone institutions across the world".
A feature of the Barbados service which
is still being contemplated is that with C&W relinquishing
its monopoly, phone users may be asked to pay for each local call
as against the current monthly flat rental.
Among the companies entering the Barbadian market is WIISCOM Technology
which has acquired a fixed wireless network licence and reportedly
will within a few months offer services that include 'video on
demand' providing 24 hours a day feeds of movies to households.
WIISCOM also promises to drastically cut the cost of Internet service and doubling its speed.
The Barbadian Nation newspaper reported head of WIISCOM, Mr. Keith Walker saying, ""Once we get going we will offer our customers access to a portable mini-computer, which would allow them to stand at a bus stop and access the Internet, and perhaps watch a movie while waiting for the bus. WIISCOM is also planning, once the second stage of telecommunication deregulation occurs in December this year, to offer regular home telephone services using its wireless technology at a fraction of the cost of the domestic phone service provided now by C&W Bartel".
He added, "We intend to change the way telecommunications business has been carried on in this country for decades. We will be offering 'always-on Internet access' at 128 kilobits. To put this in perspective, 98 per cent of all Internet users in Barbados connect at 56k, but in effect only a fraction actually communicate at that speed".