HONIARA: The Solo-mon Islands Government is already in the process of amending the Telecommunication Act in a bid to end Our Telekom’s monopoly.
The government reportedly wanted the Irish telecommunications company Digicel to enter the local market. The company has already entered neighbouring Papua New Guinea and Samoa markets.
A well-placed government source revealed to the Solomon Star that work on the amendment is well underway.
“It should be completed by the end of the year, and will be tabled in the first meeting of Parliament next year,” the source said.
The Solomon Star understands that experts from World Bank are due in the country this month to work with the relevant ministry to look at the act.
The source said the amendment to the act was purposely to encourage competition.
The government favours competition in the communication industry. Already it had mounted a legal challenge against Our Telekom’s 15-year monopoly licencee.
Our Telekom holds a 15-year exclusive licence, which was granted four years ago. – PNS