Montserrat - a new regulatory authority

Telecommunications regulatory body for Montserrat

Chief Minister Dr Lowell Lewis announced during his 2008 budget presentation on Tuesday evening that a new Telecommunications Bill has been drafted and will be presented to the legislative council in the coming months.
Chief Minister Dr Lowell Lewis announced during his 2008 budget presentation on Tuesday evening that a new Telecommunications Bill has been drafted and will be presented to the legislative council in the coming months.

BRADES, Montserrat, March 27, 2008 - A telecommunications regulatory authority is in the works for the British overseas territory of Montserrat.

Chief Minister Dr Lowell Lewis announced during his 2008 budget presentation on Tuesday evening that a new Telecommunications Bill has been drafted and will be presented to the legislative council in the coming months.

The legislation will set out the rules governing telecommunications services.

Dr Lewis said the country was moving too slowing in "making the advancements needed at competitive rates".

"The Bill will establish a telecommunications regulatory authority within a public utilities commission and sets out the protocols for license and spectrum management," he said."

"The overall strategy will consider how government encourages and supports the development of businesses involved in this sector to enable cutting edge technologies to be introduced here in Montserrat."

The Chief Minister however made it clear that the move was not intended to push Cable and Wireless, the island's only telecommunications service provider out of the market.