Digicel, OUR head to court

Debbie-Ann Wright, News Editor
The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre

Lawyers representing telecommunications company, Digicel are expected today, to make arguments for a stay of the implementation date of new interim termination rates announced by the Office of Utilities Regulation(OUR).

Following the amendments to the Telecommunications Act, the OUR announced that as of July 15, the interim mobile termination rate would be $5 minute for incoming domestic and international telephone calls.

However, Digicel is contending that due process was not followed and that it was not consulted before the new rate was set.

Digicel wants the Supreme Court to put a hold on the implementation date for the new rate, until an application it has filed challenging the OUR on the matter is heard.

Digicel is seeking to have the court review the law which granted the OUR powers to reduce interconnection rates.

In the meantime, LIME does not agree with its rival’s position and has indicated it could notify the courts that it would like to join the legal proceedings as an interested party.

LIME has said it is in support of the new rate and has already dropped its call costs in anticipation of the implementation of the new interim rate.

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