Minister of Industry,technology, energy and commerce, Phillip Paulwell, says that Jamaica's fourth cellular phone licence has been sold Solutra Jamaica Limited.

Paulwell told the House of Representatives Wednesday that following an extensive due diligence process, undertaken by the Financial Intelligence Division of the Ministry of Finance and Planning, he has issued the new licence to Solutra, formerly Bizcom Technologies Inc.

"The licence is effective June 1, and the full payment of J$510 million will be made by the end of June," the minister said as he spoke in the sectoral debate.

Paulwell said that total spectrum fees collected since liberalisation began in April, 2000 is $4.7 billion, including $4.3 billion from the sale of cellular licences. He said that the total General Consumption Tax(GCT) collected since then is approximately $40 billion, including $18 billion last year.

"There should be no doubt, at this point, that liberalisation of the ICT sector has brought significant investment and revenues," he said.

He said that in recognition of the dynamism of the ICT sector, his ministry has embarked on a series of consultations with major stakeholders, and the public, to inform a policy review leading to the development of a draft Telecommunications policy 2007.

The policy will set the framework for telecommunications as an instrument for national development, improve global competitiveness and efficiency and increase investments.

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