This Is Guernsey

By Aimee Le Cocq

THE regulator has told Cable & Wireless Guernsey to improve the standard of the wholesale services it gives its competitors. Following discussions with other providers, the Office of Utility Regulation has put forward a range of measures to increase competition.
Director of regulation Michael Byrne said a properly functioning wholesale market was an essential element in ensuring that.  The regulator has spoken to C&W about its terms and conditions as well as the deadline for delivery of business lease lines.

‘We want to see some improvement in terms of the guidelines,’ said Mr Byrne.The proposals follow a detailed review by the OUR into C&WG’s wholesale services, the time it takes to deliver certain key services and the compensation it offers when it fails to achieve targets. able & Wireless had a conflict of interest and was not doing enough to help its rivals.

‘We’ve had discussions with Cable & Wireless and talked through the issues that we have. Its response has been very positive. The biggest part of this is how it takes things forward,’ said Mr Byrne.

He said initial changes would not affect retail customers, but would be noticeable to rival companies such as Wave and Airtel.

‘We are looking very much at quality and the way in which they are operating rather than the product.

‘We want to make sure that people who are working in retail are looking after the interests of other telecom operators.

‘We believe that the measures set out in this draft decision, together with the commitments from C&WG, will benefit the market and ultimately contribute further to greater competition.’

Weaknesses in the company’s approach would be changed and improved, he said.

* No one from Cable & Wireless was available for a response.

Article posted on 2nd August, 2008 - 9.30am