Telecom Mess continues

[Willi]

Cant sorry fi ingrates!

[Don1]

Cant sorry fi ingrates!

Ar Maaga Dawg

[Don1]

So I guess its the caller who pays this connection fee. The way I see it that both the caller and receiver are paying their carrier for airtime and connecting an inter or intra call is part of doing business. If the carriers insist on connection fees then the government role is to set the same fee for all carriers for both inter or intra calls.

What's called the "interconnect fee" is paid by carriers at settlement. Of course the fee is reflected in the rate the consumer pays/minute.

It's not a matter of "If the carriers insist on connection fees". That's a normal and essential component of the business. If a call from outside your network is being terminated on yours...you must be paid because there's a handling cost to your switch and the entire platform.

The issue is what the termination/interconnect fee is, what it's based on and it's market impact

[Don1]

Seems to be a scare tactic to get the GOJ's attention...imo

[MdmeX]

Yu better believe it...why yu think everyone in Ja had 3 phones...

I always wondered why people walked with so many phones

[Baddaz]

paulwell should take the side of the people and eliminate any interconnect charges between the companies for voice... since digicel try to pull a fast one by eliminating one of the two networks (which they had every intention of doing when they made de acquisition)... let the two companies now compete on service and quality...

[Don1]

paulwell should take the side of the people and eliminate any interconnect charges between the companies for voice... since digicel try to pull a fast one by eliminating one of the two networks (which they had every intention of doing when they made de acquisition)... let the two companies now compete on service and quality...

It's not feasible or advisable to eliminate interconnect charges. There's a valid economic reason for those charges to exist.

The charges must be regulated properly to ensure fair competition and consumer protection.

[Baddaz]

don1, i understand the rationale for interconnect charges...

The charges must be regulated properly to ensure fair competition and consumer protection.

therein lies the problem... the cell to cell interconnect charge isnt regulated in jamaica... the prevailing operating environment in jamaica where a substantial majority of the people depend on cell phone for business and personal with limited economic resources requires regulation of cell to cell interconnect charges... set one fee and let the companies compete in other areas... that is the only way to ensure that the consumers get a fair deal with lower prices... afterall, the govt must act in the interest of the people... this is done in other countries...

[Don1]

don1, i understand the rationale for interconnect charges...



therein lies the problem... the cell to cell interconnect charge isnt regulated in jamaica... the prevailing operating environment in jamaica where a substantial majority of the people depend on cell phone for business and personal with limited economic resources requires regulation of cell to cell interconnect charges... set one fee and let the companies compete in other areas... that is the only way to ensure that the consumers get a fair deal with lower prices... afterall, the govt must act in the interest of the people... this is done in other countries...

Interconnection charges are justified because when a call from Network A is terminated on Network B.... Network B is terminating the call on behalf of Network A and for that service deserves to be paid a fee. This is especially so in the "calling party pays" system where Network B's customer receiving the call is not paying a toll to the carrier.

The interconnect regime is subject to regulation... it just hasn't been done...which is pathetic

I understand that the regulatory mandates are being finalized now

[Mosiah]

Paulwell will fix it.

[Don1]

That would be wise...he didn't set it correctly in the first place

[Don1]

don1, i understand the rationale for interconnect charges...
..

sorry .. I read the "don1" as u don't understand the rationale

[Don1]

Paulwell needs to use this opportunity to end the ridiculous rate arbitrage...aka the interconnection issue. One flat & low rate to switch calls between networks NOW. If im nah deal wid dat im is one waste ah time.
People don't see it as ridiculous buying & lugging around multiple phones fi ketch one affordable rate??

Government to intervene in Digicel/Lime controversy

Minister with responsibility for the telecommunications sector, Phillip Paulwell, has intervened to quell growing tension between rival mobile phone providers Digicel and LIME.

Mr. Paulwell met on Tuesday with senior executives of LIME to discuss the company's concerns about recent developments in the sector.

The Minister is to hold talks next week with officials of Digicel.

Mr. Paulwell stepped in following charges and countercharges by the two companies in relation to the acquisition of Jamaica's third mobile phone company Claro and the implications for competition in the market. Speaking with RJR News following the meeting Mr. Paulwell said one of the major issues discussed was inter-connection rates.

He was however reluctant to give details on what will be the next move.

“Because the issues have been out there in the public I don’t want to go into too much detail. The primary thing has to do with the interconnection rate, I intend to address them with Digicel and then jointly with everybody so that at the endo f the day everybody will be clear as to what the government position is and that is to ensure that competition thrives” said Mr Paulwell.

Memba mi tole unnu