Gov't seeks to end Telekom monopoly

The government is looking at improving the legislation to support the introduction of competition in the telecommunication industry in the country as part of its ongoing reform in the industry sectors.

This will include ending the monopoly currently enjoyed by Our Telekom, the only telecommunication services provider in the Solomon Islands.

Finance Minister Peter Boyers made the announcement during his address at the a reception held for the private sector and business houses at the Pacific Casino Hotel yesterday.

Mr Boyers said for the consumers to benefit in the long term, competition must be allowed to take its course and exclusive license forgone.

“The express aim here is to put downward pressure on the telecommunications costs to the benefit of both personal and business consumers”, Mr Boyers told the representatives from many of the major companies in the country.

Our Telekom, formerly Solomon Telekom Company Limited, holds an exclusive licence to operate telecommunication services in Solomon Islands.

Already another telecommunication company, Digicel Pacific, a sister company to the Digicel Group, has been granted an experimental licence in Solomon Islands, although this was legally challenged by Our Telekom.

Solomon Telekom Company Limited (Telekom), is a joint venture company between Solomon Island's National Provident Fund, (SINPF) which hold 64.74% of the shares, and Cable & Wireless Plc of the United Kindom which holds 32.58% of shares and the Investment Corporation of the Solomon Islands (ICSI) which owns 2.68 % of the shares.

In the aviation industry, competition in the international aviation sector will be further enhanced with the introduction of two further carriers – Pacific Blue and Sky Air World. This will increase to at least four (4) the number of carriers flying from Solomon Islands to Australia, said Mr Boyers.

Source: PMC