Thursday, July 28, 2011

Antigua - Interconnection disruption between LIME and Digicel is being mediated by the Minister to reconnect the networks

[caribarena - antigua] The Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications has become aware of a major disruption in mobile calls emanating from and terminating onto the platform of Digicel, one of the leading telecommunications companies in Antigua.

This disruption has resulted in Digicel customers being unable to connect to both LIME and APUA mobile customers as well as a disruption in connecting to APUA landlines, both residential and commercial.

The disruption has also affected inbound calls to the Digicel Network from all other providers, including inbound and outbound international calls.

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Telecommunications, Honourable Dr. Edmond Mansoor, is convening two emergency meetings today, the first at 3:30 pm and the second at 6:30 pm, to discuss a number of complex issues related to the causes of the disruption.

“I have invited senior representatives of APUA, LIME and Digicel to meet with the Telecommunications Officer and myself and to discuss what appears to be a series of disputes between APUA and Digicel. I am aware that both Digicel and APUA have been embroiled in a number of on-going commercial disputes, some of which are the subject of litigation.

"I am also aware that both Digicel and APUA have already made public statements today on the newest development. I am hopeful that sufficient progress can be made in today’s deliberations which would result in the least possible inconveniences to both residents and visitors,” Minister Mansoor declared.

“I have asked all the telecommunications providers to use acceptable and well-established mediation routes to settle their differences without having to resort to the disruption of services that greatly inconveniences tens of thousands of people. I have also reminded all the telecommunications players in the marketplace that the existing laws, regulations and agreements that govern the telecommunications sector apply in equal measure across the board,” Minister Mansoor added.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is fully committed to working diligently with all the providers to resolving this impasse in the shortest possible time, as well as to sustaining a sound telecommunications regulatory environment.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda regrets the inconveniences that have resulted to both residents and visitors due to the disruption.

Telecommunications Ministry Mediating Digicel-APUA Impasse

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