Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority — 17 May 2022
At ECTEL’s Inaugural Anniversary Lecture on May 4, 2022, marking its 22nd anniversary, Dr. James (Jimmy) Fletcher, Managing Director of SOLORICON and former Chairman of ECTEL’s Council of Ministers, delivered a riveting lecture on “The Electronic Communications Bill: From Liberalisation to Digital Transformation.” He described the situation before liberalisation: Cable & Wireless held exclusive long-term licences and provided all telecommunications services in all OECS states, with high tariffs even on local calls and no regulation or consumer recourse. He emphasised that ECTEL was the first multi-country telecommunications regulator of its kind in the world when it was formed — a significant achievement. Because of the competition liberalisation created, consumers enjoyed a reduction in prices and an improvement in services.
Dr. Fletcher stressed the urgent need for all five ECTEL Member States to pass and effectively implement the Electronic Communications Bill: “It is not right for a sector that is moving at the pace that this one is moving to take 13 years to finalise an Electronic Communications Bill. Pass the legislation and amend it as we go along.” He noted that St. Kitts and Nevis passed the Electronic Communications Act on 18th February 2021. Among ECTEL’s major achievements highlighted were: mobile number portability implemented in 2019 across all Member States; Universal Service Funds established in each Member State allowing fees from service providers to fund affordable access to electronic communications; and recommendations for reductions in the price of fixed services and mobile and broadband safeguards. Chairman of the Council of Ministers Honourable Stephenson King recognised the five prime ministers who signed the ECTEL Treaty back in 2000, including former St Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Denzil L. Douglas.