Paulwell endorses new Digicel/Claro merger condition
Published:Friday | January 13, 2012 | 9:22 AM
Debbie-Ann Wright, Assistant News Editor
The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre
The newly appointed Information and Communications Technology Minister, Phillip Paulwell says he has no difficulty with the change in a condition for the Digicel/Claro merger.
Paulwell says he did not believe the original stipulation was practical.
When then Prime Minister, Bruce Golding approved the Digicel/Claro merger in August, he insisted Digicel must continue operating two separate networks.
The move was meant to keep in check Digicel’s dominance in the market.
But yesterday, the Office of Utilities Regulation revealed that former Prime Minister Andrew Holness, withdrew the condition after he assumed the mantle in October.
However, Paulwell says he will be immediately reviewing proposed legislation aimed at encouraging competition.
Among the issues he wants urgently resolved is the rate for calls between networks.
debbie-ann.wright@gleanerjm.com