OUR begins consultations with mobile providers

Jerome Reynolds,Gleaner Writer

The Office of Utilities Regulations (OUR), is now holding consultations with mobile service providers, as it seeks to settle on mobile termination rates.

Public Education Specialist at the OUR, Elizabeth Bennett-Marsh, said a draft policy has already been prepared.

She said the regulator is hopeful of finalising the process by the end of March and for implementation soon after.

Following the passage of amendments to the Telecommunications Act last year, the OUR announced an interim mobile termination rate of $5.00 per minute for incoming domestic and international telephone calls.

That took effect on July 15.

That saw calling rates falling drastically.

LIME cut its calling rate for pre paid customers to $2.99, while post paid customers pay $1.99 per minute.

And Digicel reduced its rate to $2.89.

Meanwhile, speaking in a live chat with customers on social media website Facebook on Tuesday, Managing Director of LIME, Garry Sinclair said the company is hopeful that the final mobile termination rate will be even lower.

He said LIME sees such a move as significant for customers.

Like our new Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/gleanerjamaica

Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/JamaicaGleaner

radio@gleanerjm.com