Digicel takes legal action against BVI telecoms regulators
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| Published on Thursday, May 10, 2007 |
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ROAD TOWN, BVI: Digicel maintains that it has always had an interest in entering the British Virgin Islands market, according to a statement from the telecommunications company just days after an application by the company was filed in the High Court against the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) in the BVI.
The application, which was filed on April 30, applied for leave of the court for a judicial review. This was granted by the court on Friday, May 4.
In its first reaction since Friday’s court hearing, Digicel confirmed Wednesday that it has obtained leave from the Court to file an application for Judicial Review and has also obtained an Interim Injunction relating to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission’s failure to deal with Digicel’s application for a mobile licence.
Following the further hearing of the application for an injunction in the court on Wednesday morning, the court ruled that this hearing will continue on May 18. Hearing of the full judicial review application is also expected to be heard on this date.
The Court also ordered in its May 4 sitting that the TRC consider and determine Digicel’s application of February 16 for a mobile telecommunications licence in accordance with the provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2006.
The TRC a few months ago had rejected Digicel’s application, claiming it did not meet the stipulations set out under the Act. It is this same application the TRC now has to consider.
Government on April 23 released a telecommunications policy outlining that the three current telecom operators in the BVI, namely, CCT Global Communications, which is a local company and the only mobile company, b-mobile of Cable and Wireless, and BVI Cable TV, will be granted licences to operate in the territory with a possibility of a fourth considered at a later stage.
Digicel on Wednesday maintained that its application to operate a GSM license in the British Virgin Islands has not been addressed in accordance with the Telecommunications Act, which stipulates that each application must be considered on an objective, transparent and non-discriminatory basis.
According to Digicel Group Regulatory & Legal Director, Jan Tjernell: “Digicel has an excellent track record of delivering significant investment and job creation, producing better value of services and setting new standards in network quality and customer care."
Tjernell also said Digicel has been a driving force of mobile liberalisation across the entire Caribbean region, bringing major benefits to its customers.
He said Digicel has always been interested in entering the BVI mobile market and still remains interested. He said the company is seeking an objective, transparent and non-discriminatory process, which should be to the benefit to everyone in BVI. | | | | Reads : 362 | | | |
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