PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC;
THE TELECOMMUNICATION Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) says it is "impossible" to conclude an inter-connectivity agreement with the Irish-based telecom company, Digicel, before Christmas.
Lisa Agard, TSTT's legal vice-president, said that it was "unrealistic" to ask the monopoly provider to meet that deadline, adding that the company had been advised that a directive from the Telecommunication Authority of Trinidad and Tobago to inter-connect by November 30 was also unlawful.
"TSTT's existing network capacity is fully utilised and not fully suitable for inter-connection because of the age of the network. Its components do not have the capability necessary for effecting inter-connection," Agard told a news conference.
But while TSTT and Digicel appear to be at loggerheads over the inter-connection issue, Agard said negotiations were progressing well with the local telecom provider, Laqtel.
"TSTT has concluded commercial negotiations with Laqtel with regards to sharing of TSTT's towers and is close to executing a master lease agreement in relation to many sites."
"In addition, TSTT has made significant progress in negotiating a reference inter-connection offer out of which will emerge an inter-connection agreement.
TSTT has in fact ordered the interconnection specific equipment for Laqtel," she added.
Last week, Digicel's CEO Stephen Brewer said: "TSTT is acting in bad faith in its attempt to block competition and is making a mockery of the entire liberalisation process."
He dismissed allegations by TSTT that Digicel was late in submitting the required documents to allow for the inter-connection of the companies and said they had proof that the required documents had been sent to TSTT since June 24.
