CABLE & WIRELESS has failed to secure Guernsey’s second 3G mobile licence. The Office of Utility Regulation announced that Indian Continent Investment Ltd – a subsidiary of Indian telecoms giant Bharti Global – had been selected above C&W in the licence competition.

And if ICIL agrees contractual terms and conditions with the OUR, C&W will be the only telecoms company in Guernsey unable to operate in the 3G market.

‘We cannot understand why a regulator that is supposed to promote long-term sustainable competition could have reached such a damaging strategic decision for the Bailiwick,’ said C&W commercial director Mark Briers. ‘We are a major incumbent operator, yet we will be prevented from competing in a core area of the mobile telecommunications market even though two rival operators are perfectly entitled to compete with us for 2G services.

‘This is not the level playing field that the OUR claims and it is a bad decision for Guernsey and our customers.’

C&W has already been awarded 3G licences in Jersey and the Isle of Man and the equipment providing these services is primarily based in Guernsey.

Mr Briers said it would be a relatively simple matter to upgrade the island’s existing technology to support 3G, which would not negatively impact on the island’s environment with the installation of more masts.

‘We highlighted a vision for the Bailiwick based on a £30m. investment in new technology and customer service and we’re astounded the OUR does not share that vision,’ he said. ‘It is particularly disappointing for our Guernsey mobile customers, who could have had a high-quality 3G service this Christmas.’

Mr Briers said no reason had been given as to why the company had failed to win the so-called beauty parade for the licence.

The OUR said it was unable to comment until the 3G licence had been formally granted, which is expected to be within the next month. It also confirmed that ICIL had applied for a 2G licence, which was currently under consideration.

Bharti Global, the largest operator in the Indian subcontinent, was granted a mobile licence in Jersey last year.

Wave Telecom managing director Tim Ringsdore said he welcomed competition in the 3G market.