This section features background information and resources relevant to the current research theme. It includes resources produced by WDR and external sources and is organised by regions and topics. An archive of resources recommended in previous research cycles is also available along with news from the WDR/Intelecon Regulatory News Service.
Suriname: Mobile Monopoly Ends Print E-mail
Tuesday, 17 April 2007
Suriname state-owned monopoly Telesur now has mobile competition in Irish-based Digicel and local operator Intelsur.

Government representative Maurits Hassankhan said the provision of the mobile licenses marks the liberalisation of the telecommunication sector that started four years ago when the government drafted the new Telecommunication Provisions Act.

The country's remote areas should soon receive service as the new operators were assigned specific areas of the interior as well as the coastal zone to provide GSM services.

"The expectations are very high and the government is hoping that with your involvement by 2015 Suriname will achieve one of the Millennium Development Goals, by giving all its citizens excess to telecommunication", said Hassankhan.

As a result of the move, the Telecommunication Authority Suriname (TAS) has replaced Telesur as the regulator of the industry. TAS manager Jett Olff told reporters that the three companies would soon start interconnection negotiations to link their networks.

"If the rates are set too high we have the right to step in and also we have the right to take measures if the tariffs are being set too low", said Olff.

Intelsur is partnering with United Telecommunication Services from Curaçao and plans to start operations in July 2007. Digicel says it plans to begin operations later this year.

Source: BBC and Caribbean Media Corporation - WDR/Intelecon Regulatory News.