By Harlyne Joku
DIGICEL, PNG’s second mobile phone carrier, is likely to lose its international gateway licence following the approval of a new ICT policy this week by the Government.
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare announced yesterday that the National Executive Council on Wednesday approved a refined ICT policy, which retained the staged introduction of open competition.
He added however, that the refined policy will remove the transitional network policy.
He said no Digicel network assets will be acquired or leased under this proposal.
Sir Michael said NEC will continue to pursue open competition in the ICT sector in PNG since the initial NEC announcement in November 2005 to bring competition into the mobile telephone sector.
He added that the Government’s commitment to competition should not be underestimated.
“The Government is firm in that resolve; our ultimate aim is to introduce competition in all ICT sectors,” the Prime Minister said.
He said the staged introduction of competition was also in line with Papua New Guinea’s development aspirations.
“Stage One involves the continuation of the network-based mobile competition, while Stage Two will be the introduction of open competition,” Sir Michael said.
Digicel said yesterday afternoon that they will refrain from making any statement until formally notified.
A source said Digicel had yet to be given the full details of the refined ICT policy.