Make sure TC Islanders are majority shareholders

Introduction

There are certainly bottlenecks and congestion in the telecommunication industry thus providing a less than acceptable service in some areas of Turks and Caicos Islands.  It is alleged that some people are using services from carriers not licensed in Turks and Caicos. One of those alleged carriers is Starlink. Starlink Caribbean LLC has now applied to the Telecommunications Commission to become an internet provider in the Turks and Caicos using satellite communications.

I support competition, but competitors should not be exempt from regulations when operating in the TCI.  Our laws specifically stated that a telecommunication licence should not be granted unless the licence is hold by a majority owned Turks and Caicos Islander. Naturally, the same statute stipulates that the minister has the authority to grant exemptions.

Turks and Caicos Islander Controlled

As far as I know the only Telecommunication company that is not controlled by majority of Turks and Caicos Islanders is Cable & Wireless and that is because Cable & Wireless has been in the country since 1898 and had a monopoly licence for years. In 2006, Cable & Wireless relinquished their monopolist licence and the Telecommunication Industry became liberalized. Shortly after, Digicel entered the market. However, to do so, they were required to partner with local individuals.  Island Com also later entered the market and had to do likewise.

I know that this is a different era and different means of technology now but that does not mean new providers should be exempted from majority controlled. It does not matter who owns the company or where the network or satellites are located. What matters is that business is being operated in Turks and Caicos competing with other carriers and they should follow the law.

The Minister can exempt the applicant, but caution is necessary. I hope the Minister does not take that route.

We have reserved categories in the business licence, and the Government passed the Real Estate Amendment Bill. All of these are catered for empowerment of Turks and Caicos Islanders. The same is about the Telecommunications Ordinance which is to empower Turks and Caicos Islanders.

Starlink does not have to partner with one person, they can partner with several Turks and Caicos Islanders. Starlink should not be allowed to conduct business in this country without having 51% ownership by Turks and Caicos Islanders.  I encouraged Turks and Caicos Islanders to come together and pool their resources together so they can have the 51% equity that is required to become the majority shareholder.

Do not be influenced by the Survey

Consultation and surveys are essential, and most respondents will likely support a satellite-based internet provider. However, we should not allow the positive responses to influence granting a licence to a provider without a Turks and Caicos majority controlled.

In 2006, most Turks and Caicos residents desired competition. In fact, they wanted it before 2006. I’m unsure if a survey or consultation occurred, but I know the provider needed a local partner. 

Conclusion

Starlink’s packages seem reasonably priced. Price alone should not exempt any company from being controlled by Turks and Caicos Islanders. Those wanting to operate in this country should involve the people. Too many people are becoming too wealthy from the residents of this country. If they were not making money, they would not be here. Therefore, let us make sure we empower the Turks and Caicos Islanders by allowing them to be shareholders in these companies. No exemption should be allowed.

We should follow the suit of President Trump. He wants to make America great. He wants to ensure that Americans support American products and services by placing tariffs on foreign products and services. Well let us make TCI great by ensuring that anyone that comes here to do business in the telecommunication industry must have a  local partner.