Government of Jamaica to tighten up on utilities

Policy proposed to force sharing of infrastructure

THE GOVERNMENT has proposed to enact legislation to mandate the sharing of infrastructure by telecommunications companies.

A proposed information and communication technology (ICT) policy document tabled in the House of Representatives Tuesday points to what the Government calls "an urgent need to implement an infrastructure sharing policy".

"... There are issues with multiple operators who engage in excavating the public roadways to install equipment and lay cable. Specifically, there is a lack of coordination between operators resulting in increased costs, traffic congestion and undue disturbance to the public," the policy said.

The National Works Agency (NWA), which is responsible for most of the country's roadways, has been telling utility providers they would not be allowed to disturb roadways if they miss a window of opportunity to lay down their infrastructure.

utilities instructed

Using the example of the North Coast Highway, which is currently under construction, NWA CEO Patrick Wong said: "I cannot afford for my North Coast Highway to be dug up four times."

Wong yesterday told The Gleaner that he has already instructed the utility companies to coordinate and put in their infrastructure at the same time.

He also said the National Water Commission, one of the culprits in digging up the country's roads, would be making a joint statement with the NWA shortly. Both entities are to collaborate to ensure minimum disruption as a result of infrastructural layout.

Meanwhile, the ICT policy proposes the need for an efficient deployment of infrastructure islandwide to facilitate high-capacity networks with interconnection to international networks.

competition rules

The policy also points to the Government's intention to enact legislation which would impact on competition in the sector.

Among the aspects of the proposed legislation is for the prescription of competition rules and to empower the ICT regulator to intervene where there is discriminatory conduct on the part of the carriers and service providers.

"It will be of benefit to the consumer in terms of making sure there is a liberalised environment to make sure there is no return of a monopoly," Daryl Vaz, minister with responsibility for information, told The Gleaner.

If the proposed policy is approved, it would give a minister the power to remove persons from the radio frequency spectrum in the event of a national security or defence concern.

It could also pave the way for the establishment of a stand-alone regulator which would take over the role of the Office of Utilities Regulation in respect of telecommunications providers.