By Howard Walker, Staff ReporterAT&T WIRELESS has paid over in full the sum of J$360 million to the Jamaican Government, only two weeks after receiving a cellular licence, says Phillip Paulwell, Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology.
"The money came in on the day that it was scheduled, that is 14 days after the signing of the licence," Mr. Paulwell told The Sunday Gleaner. "The full amount of $360 million was received in US currency and was handed over the consolidated fund of the Ministry of Finance."
AT&T, the American telecoms giant, is expected to spend $1 billion in the first 12 months of operations in Jamaica and will be sending a team to the island next week to pave the way for the grand launch into the Jamaican market.
"They are sending down a technical team next week to start on the north coast for the location of their footprint," Mr. Paulwell added. According to the Commerce Minister, AT&T will be setting up cellular sites at similar locations where other players are located instead of building new towers.
Meanwhile, a source at the Ministry of Commerce has indicated that AT&T, which acquired its 16th licence in the Caribbean, will be based in Montego Bay.
WELCOMED THE CONTRIBUTION
At a time when the nation's cash flow is starved for every cent, Dr. Omar Davies, Minister of Finance and Planning, has welcomed the contribution to the Government coffers and the "professional manner" in which AT&T transacted business.
"I expected AT&T to live by their commitment," Dr. Davies said.
But while welcoming the payment, Dr. Davies noted it would hardly make an impact on the country's debt burden.
"The auction licences are expected to bring in money to the coffers, but we collect more in taxes," he told The Sunday Gleaner.
On March 9, after two years of negotiating, AT&T was awarded a Spectrum licence in the 1900 band for the deployment of its mobile cellular network, joining Cable & Wireless, Digicel and Centennial.
While handing over the licence to AT&T at the official signing, Mr. Paulwell said it has been observed in some quarters that the domestic market is near saturation point and thus could not accommodate any new player.
"In this regard, I wish to publicly commend AT&T for their positive endorsement of Jamaica as a viable investment opportunity, and specifically for recognising the untapped potential which continues to exist in the Jamaican telecommunications industry," he said.
Through a release issued by AT&T Wireless, the president, Jordan Roderick, declared that his company would be providing the same cutting-edge wireless services in Jamaica as in other parts of the Caribbean and the U.S. The release also stated that AT&T Wireless customers from the United States will be able to enjoy the convenience of using their own GSM devices while in Jamaica, including the ability to receive calls at their own phone number. This gives business travellers and tourists one more reason to visit Jamaica, the company said.
