PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago-Cable & Wireless is said to be in negotiations with Trinidad and Tobago regarding the future of the carrier’s monopoly on the islands.
The discussions follow Jamaica’s introduction of telecom liberalization last year, which ended Cable & Wireless’ 25-year exclusive telecom license there and could have effects across the eastern Caribbean as several islands are preparing a joint approach to the company for terminating its exclusive operations.
The talks follow a dispute between the government and the carrier over Cable & Wireless’ 49-percent stake in TSTT, the local telecom provider, The Financial Times reported. The government rejected a request from Cable & Wireless to purchase more shares and lift its stake to 51 percent, and the government then said it was transferring its shares in TSTT and several other companies into a new holding company for state economy enterprises.
The report said the aim of the talks is to inform Cable & Wireless of the government’s plan to liberalize the telecom sector and of the future role of TSTT in a competitive market environment.
The termination of the carrier’s exclusive license in Jamaica allowed the government to auction two cellular licenses to foreign companies for $92.5 million. The licenses were awarded to Cellular One Caribbean, a franchise holder of U.S.-based Cellular One, and to Mossel of Dublin, Ireland.
