The PUC may be embroiled in mortal combat with BEL, but that isn't
stopping the regulator for rolling out the red carpet for over 60 representatives
form 13 Caribbean countries who are here for the 6th Conference of the Organization
of Caribbean Utility Regulators, known as "OOCUR." The attendees
include international utility experts, utility providers, regulators, and stakeholders
who are huddled at the Princess Hotel and Casino discussing shared experiences
and challenges. And according to OOCUR'S President, Floyd Phillips who
is from Barbados, the biggest challenge right now is forging a harmonized regulatory
regime.
Floyd Phillips, President OOCUR
"The purpose of this meeting really is to pull the various regulators
to try to discuss the possibilities of a common regulatory framework throughout
the Caribbean and that is the theme of this conference and this is what we've
been pushing for from the time we decided to form OOCUR."
Jules Vasquez,
Now we can't even properly start up a CARICOM Single Market and Economy.
How would we install one single regulatory regime?
Floyd Phillips,
"Well it wouldn't be easy like everything else; getting different
cultures, political persuasions together, it wouldn't be easy but one
thing coming together very nicely is the area of telecoms. Legislation is pretty
much the same right now with respect to telecommunications, throughout most
of the territories in the Caribbean."
John Avery, PUC Chairman
"You would be surprised to know Jules that in terms of a common framework of legislation for the Caribbean, we are well ahead of CSME and CARICOM and
as I said in my address to the body, to me this is what we need to act as catalyst
to actually implementing the goals of CARICOM and CSME. And hopefully that will
lend support to the overall CARICOM movement."
And one of the most pressing regulatory issues in CARICOM is communication
in the rapidly changing TELCOMS industry. Voice over Internet, or VOIP is legal
in Belize but independent use via Vonage or SKYPE is blocked by BTL. Phillips
says that old copper companies like BTL do merit some protection.
John Avery,
"In the telecoms area, technology is moving well ahead of laws and 
regulations and it is always a struggle for the regulators to keep up but we
have competition and competition provides a form of regulation on its own."
Jules Vasquez,
We know that in a lot of the territories in this region, there has been one
dominant provider but because of digitization, the progression of technology,
now new providers don't necessarily need the capital base to challenge
established providers. Is there a situation where those companies need some
level of protection in order to continue providing good essential national services?
Floyd Phillips,
"Yes they do because they have the infrastructure in the ground already
and there is a need for some provision for universal service where legislation
makes the competitors contribute towards universal service."
But according to Communications Minister Melvin Hulse, universal coverage
is far from what his division is getting. He's from Stann Creek west "
an electoral area comprising 26 villages. He says they have been completely 
neglected by the dominant market provider.
Hon. Melvin Hulse, Minister of Public Utilities
"The greatest need in particular the rural areas of this country is
internet. If you cannot get the internet system into the schools, it disadvantages
the children automatically."
Jules Vasquez,
In 26 villages (in Stann Creek) how many have access to internet, even if they
pay?
Hon. Melvin Hulse,
"None. The technology must be cheap and accessible to people. So to
tell me the only way I can get it is at the cost of this exorbitant rate, our
utilities are not upgrading their system and taking advantage of technology.
That is ridiculous and criminal."
Jules Vasquez,
But isn't your government jeopardizing that to some extent by contemplating
a higher tax on telecommunication companies? It is rumoured to be in the vicinity
of 25% on their gross.
Hon. Melvin Hulse,
"Well I don't, a couple of things are that they are jeopardizing,
you can't jeopardize what is not out there. So how are you going to jeopardize
it. If I make you pay a more equitable tax on it, you are going to spite us?
We don't have it, how do the heck you will spite us?"
And while Hulse wants internet for his area, Chairman of the PUC John
Avery wants BEL to get moving with new installations.
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