Supreme court hearing for Digicel, OUR underway

Supreme Court Judge Ingrid Mangatal is now hearing the application by Digicel which is seeking a stay of the implementation date of new interim termination rates announced by the Office of Utilities Regulation.

The matter is being heard in chambers.

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

Following the recent passage of amendments to the Telecommunications Act, the OUR announced that as of July 15, the interim mobile termination rate would be $5 per 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.

It is further contending that the move by the OUR to set mobile termination rates is unconstitutional and contrary to the common law right of natural justice.

After Digicel filed its application, LIME and the Fair Trading Commission applied to the court to be a part to the proceedings.

Since the announcement of the interim termination rate, both LIME and Digicel have made massive cuts in their call rates.

First LIME announced a $2.99 per minute package and a week later Digicel announced a $2.89 plan.

radio@gleanerjm.com