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by pltm
(PLTM) - The poor service being provided to consumers by the three telecommunication providers and Cable TV is becoming frustrating and needs to be addressed with urgency.
Hon. Archibald Christian, Junior Minister of Tourism said the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) has to address those issues, which he said are also not good for tourism.
Hon. Christian was speaking on the Motion to allow for Mr. Michael Thomas to serve as Chairman of the Board of the Commission for an additional two and a half (2½) years, in the House of Assembly yesterday, March 21.
"You will hear the public talk from time to time about the level of service the three main carriers of telephone to the Territory offer to the public. Their complaints have always been noted and conveyed to the TRC, Ministry of Communication and Minister,” Hon. Christian said.
He indicated that internet speed is something that consumers are always complaining about.
“As Junior Minister of Tourism, we are very conscious that we have thousands of visitors to our Territory every day, who rely on the internet and all the other social media that allows them to communicate with their loved ones back wherever they are from."
Hon. Christian is optimistic that with the reappointment of Mr. Thomas and with support of other board members, those outstanding issues will be addressed.
"…So I am hoping that within this second two and a half years, TRC will be able to (address the issues)...Public can feel that the services that they provided have improved and better."
Meanwhile, the Junior Minister also raised concerns about the service provided by Cable TV.
"When you look at the quality and level of Cable TV service in the Territory, it's no fault of the very good hard working people at Cable TV," he said.
He added, "It's basically an appeal to the owners and shareholders, and investors of Cable TV, to begin to really look at what they are really offering the public and what price the public is paying for the service."
Hon. Christian gave a personal experience.
"I think up until this morning when I left home, I didn’t have Cable TV for the whole of the weekend, up until this morning. It could be an act of vandalism, challenges with equipment, but certainly when you are paying for a service you expect a certain level of service," he said.
The government member implored upon TRC to look into the issue.
"...I believe that there is some provision under the TRC for the existing providers (phone carriers) of the Territory to be able to offer other services other than what they have been licensed to do," he commented.
Improvement On Its Way
Hon. Mark Vanterpool, Minister of Communications and Works and mover of the Motion said that efforts are being made to improve the internet service.
"...The bandwidth and the internet speed that we would like to see in the Territory to a much greater level, but I know that they are making efforts. This year we should see some improvement in that direction," he said. He added, "So we want to encourage them (carriers) to keep on making those efforts. We know that they have to make investments, but look forward to when this can be more competitive and meet higher standards as we compete in a global world." He mentioned the necessity for internet speed in the financial services industry, "and our own private businesses and personal business is very important." Hon. Vanterpool said, "So I urge the Chairman of the Board to continue their good work and seek to upgrade." The reappointment was approved by the House.
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