Communications giant buckles under gov't pressure

ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):

Communications giant LIME (formerly Cable & Wireless) has buckled under pressure from the Baldwin Spencer administration, reversing rate increases it had announced earlier this month.

LIME announced rate increases for Internet access as well as outbound roaming services on June 1.

But the Minister in the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Edmond Mansoor, told journalists late Wednesday that the company's announcement was premature and was not in keeping with the existing operating licences being held by Cable and Wireless West Indies Limited which, he said, require the government to approve international direct dial rates, among other things.

"On June 7, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda met with Cable and Wireless West Indies Limited during which time it was agreed that Cable and Wireless would fully comply with the provisions of the exclusive monopoly licence of 1987, including the requirement for government's approval for rate increases," Mansoor said.

"During this meeting, Cable and Wireless was again reminded that the policy of the government was one that promotes the deployment of new and emerging technologies, including wireless and Internet protocol (IP) technologies in an openly competitive marketplace.

"Therefore, when LIME announced its intention to unilaterally increase rates for Internet access as well as an increase in outbound mobile-roaming services, it would have been in contravention of its licences."

Mansoor said that the announced rate increases by LIME were, therefore, not applicable to Internet access or mobile outbound roaming services or to any existing telecommunication services that are provided for by the exclusive Cable and Wiresless Limited Antigua and Barbuda operating licence of 1987.