Liberalisation of Antigua’s telecom sector by year-end
Friday March 04 2011 | 03:56 AM

Antigua & Barbuda’s telecommunications industry is expected to undergo significant changes within the next nine months as government has until next January to liberalise the sector.

Government agreed to make the necessary adjustments when it joined with other CARIFORUM member states in signing on to the Economic Partnership Agreement, EPA, with Europe in 2008.

The changes include the establishment of a separate regulatory body, much like the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority, ECTEL, which oversees the sector in Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“The EPA requires that you have an independent regulatory authority which is functionally distinct from the telecommunications provider,” regional consultant Dr Kathy Ann Browne explained, “So you need a regulator

the same way that the ECTEL countries within the OECS have a regulator.”

In fact, Dr Browne said this should have been done already in accordance with this country’s commitments under the EPA.

“As of January 1 2012, significant liberalisation would be required as you have agreed to do away with a number of protective measures as of that date,” she said further, while pointing out this would require some tough decisions from authorities.

According to the regional consultant, changes would be required in other areas as well, but government has already indicated some of those adjustments must be done on a phased basis.

“If you’re talking about government procurement, the EPA provides for transitional period of five years from entry into force, so in terms of getting your laws on government procurement up to standards, Antigua has some time to modify its laws and practices in that area,” she said.

Antigua & Barbuda has expressed reservations about the removal of the Alien Landholding License, and has maintained that all foreigners must acquire this to purchase land.