Energy ministry to boost competition in telecoms sector

Monique Grange, Assistant News Editor

The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre



Telecommunications Minister Phillip Paulwell says his ministry plans to embark on a drive to encourage other players, to enter the telecoms sector in an effort to boost competition.



Paulwell believes the telecoms landscape which now exists provides room for another major player or two.



While telecommunications company Digicel now holds the majority of the telecoms market, its rival LIME has been competing intensely in recent months to build its customer base.



Paulwell said the government’s plan to mandate the sharing of cell towers, the implementation of number portability and the increase in the number of frequencies make it ideal for another telecoms company to operate in Jamaica.



He said he will provide more details during his contribution to the sectoral debate on July 10.



In the meantime, Paulwell who also has responsibility for energy said his ministry is now at the end of the process to choose a preferred bidder for the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), project.



He said a recommendation will be made to Cabinet soon and an announcement made before the end of this month.



The project, which started under the PNP administration, will see the construction of an LNG Floating Storage and Re-gasification Terminal.



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