Symbiote to get cellular licence despite OCG objection

Jovan Johnson, Parliamentary Reporter

The Government says it will proceed with granting of cellular licence to Symbiote Investments Limited despite a recommendation from the Contractor General not to do so.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness made the announcement in a statement to the House of Representatives this afternoon.

Holness said the decision of the Cabinet came after what he called careful consideration.

In a July report, Contractor General Dirk Harrison, cited adverse findings relating to George Neil's association with the company and the existence of adverse finding's involving Neil from a 2009 probe.

This afternoon, Holness said that the Cabinet was satisfied with the assessments of the Spectrum Management Authority, the Office of Utilities Regulation and  the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

He noted that the previous People's National Party Cabinet had conditionally approved the licence on February 15, just over a week before the general election.

Meanwhile, Holness said the Spectrum Management Authority is to deal with claims that Symbiote was using the spectrum without the requisite approvals.

Symbiote is paying approximately $2.7  billion for the licence - the third such in the island.