Option For New Phone Company Still On The Table
In the Government's toolbox of options in response to continued concerns over fluctuating internet services is the possibility of allowing a new telecommunications player into the BVI market.
However, any new entrant will need to provide improved services and at lower prices. This option was mentioned by Premier and Minister for Finance, Hon. Andrew Fahie during his budget address on November 14.
The Premier currently holds the Telecommunications portfolio so making such a decision is within his remit. However, Hon. Fahie did not give an indication that he was leaning in this direction, or even given much thought to it. He merely noted that it was an option.
“The challenges our citizens and business community face with the reliability of Internet service must be overcome, even if it means inviting new players into our market,” the Premier shared.
This option of inviting another service provider to the Territory was also mentioned during the previous administration.
The mention was first made on January 24, 2018 by then Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool while he was speaking at a public consultation meeting in Road Town. Back then, Vanterpool said “We’ve been meeting with them [telecommunications companies) again and in fact we are even looking at the possibility perhaps of opening up the services to those who can perhaps provide it even better. That’s something that we’re discussing. We have met with them since Irma.”
The word got to the hearing of international telecommunications companies, because by February the then Minister disclosed during an interview that companies indicated a readiness to operate in the Territory. In noting that he intended to meet with the companies, Hon. Vanterpool said: “Since I’ve said that I’ve had at least two other internet providers contact me. I will be having meetings with them, but effectively we will be putting forward proposals from a policy standpoint for the government to look at that.”
The Premier currently holds the Telecommunications portfolio so making such a decision is within his remit. However, Hon. Fahie did not give an indication that he was leaning in this direction, or even given much thought to it. He merely noted that it was an option.
“The challenges our citizens and business community face with the reliability of Internet service must be overcome, even if it means inviting new players into our market,” the Premier shared.
This option of inviting another service provider to the Territory was also mentioned during the previous administration.
The mention was first made on January 24, 2018 by then Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool while he was speaking at a public consultation meeting in Road Town. Back then, Vanterpool said “We’ve been meeting with them [telecommunications companies) again and in fact we are even looking at the possibility perhaps of opening up the services to those who can perhaps provide it even better. That’s something that we’re discussing. We have met with them since Irma.”
The word got to the hearing of international telecommunications companies, because by February the then Minister disclosed during an interview that companies indicated a readiness to operate in the Territory. In noting that he intended to meet with the companies, Hon. Vanterpool said: “Since I’ve said that I’ve had at least two other internet providers contact me. I will be having meetings with them, but effectively we will be putting forward proposals from a policy standpoint for the government to look at that.”
