LIME fails to get Digicel to lower rates

Telecommunications provider LIME failed in its attempt on Thursday to get a court order to compel its competitor Digicel Ltd to lower its landline-to-mobile rate to make it similar to LIME's landline to Digicel's mobile rate.

Supreme Court Justice Ingrid Mangatal upheld submissions from Digicel's lawyers Michael Hylton, QC, and Georgia Gibson Henlin and refused to grant an injunction.

LIME, formerly branded Cable & Wireless, was seeking an injunction until the court hears and determines the legal battle between itself and Digicel. LIME claimed that the rate from Digicel's landline to its mobile was cheaper than the rate offered by LIME from its landline to Digicel's mobile customers.

Digicel began installing landlines to business places about a year ago.

In the application, LIME claimed that Digicel was breaching the Fair Competition Act.

Commenting on the ruling on Thursday, Hylton said, "This is a victory for consumers because this preserves con-sumers' rights to free com-petition and lower rates."