Guyana hits roadblock to meeting liberalization date

The government is close to concluding negotiations to end the monopoly of telco Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), reported local paper Kaieteur News.

However, outstanding issues regarding spectrum pricing and mechanisms for issuing licenses could delay the plans to liberalize the sector by end-July.

Guyana passed a telecoms reform last August aimed at ending GT&T's monopoly in the fixed line and international segments.

Although several investors have expressed interest in entering the market, the process has been delayed by questions over the spectrum and licensing issues, the paper said. The issues will be managed by the National Telecommunications Agency, an organism that is yet to be established.

According to Telecommunications minister Cathy Hughes, negotiations with US-based Atlantic Tele-Network (ATN), GT&T's parent company with an 80% stake, are "going well." However, GT&T has stressed that it will not accept modifications to its license.

Hughes said that while the government is unwilling to give a deadline for the talks with ATN, the liberalization process is set to be completed by the end of July.