THERE?IS?A?NEWmajor player in the telecommunications sector of Barbados,and more could be coming soon.
Speaking duringthe media launchof telecommunications company Karib Cable at the Courtyard By Marriott yesterday, Minister in the Office of Prime Minister Senator Darcy Boycesaid granting KaribCable an informationand telecommunications licence to operatein Barbados was“only the beginning”.
Karib Cable operatesin over seven countries, including, St Lucia,St Vincent and the Grenadines and Antigua.
It offers cable television, broadband Internet connectivity andfixed line telephone services through the use of fibre optics.
When Karib Cable sets up operations in Barbados within the next fouror so months, it is expected to employ200 plus Barbadians.
“We fairly expectin the fullness of timewe will have the launchof one or two other services in the country,” said the Ministerwith Responsibilityfor Telecommunications.
“We have givenlicences for different telecommunication services and we have approved one. We are waiting for the legal work; [that] is one major player, and we are considering applications from a couple other major companies,” disclosed Boyce, declining to give details.
“These new entrantsare in keeping withour policy objectiveof creating an environment that fosters keen but fair competition which in turn is expected to drive the pricesof telecom and other related services downward,” Boyce said.
Opting not to give details, managing director and founder of Karib Cable, Kelly Glass,said the total investment in Barbados would amount to $65 million.
Glass declined to say what the cost of their services would be like compared to existing service providers, but stated that the company had the financial, operational and technical capability to competein Barbados in“a meaningful manner”. (MM)
