Dear Editor,

The Agenda columnist in the Sunday Observer Garfield Higgins gave a very comprehensive overview of the disastrous run-up to number portability, which still remains a pipe dream. It really cements the point that the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) and the telecommunications ministry are both failing miserably.

I remember a few years ago when Cable & Wireless/LIME was attempting to re-establish itself as a major provider of mobile telecommunication services in Jamaica. Having lost their monopolist control of the market, they were one of the main proponents of mobile number portability as a means of levelling the playing field.

Now, having acquired Flow, thus taking back their share of the market and strengthening their own position, they now appear to be the main antagonists to the process. They have recently been granted another extension to ensure that their systems are ready to accommodate the changes accompanying number portability, the latest in five such delays.

Interestingly, since Digicel has demanded full number portability across all platforms, including fixed lines, there has been less talk from LIME on the benefits of number portability with more emphasis on the difficulties in implementing the system. It appears that the previous talk about the need for a more level playing field was just hot air. Alas, the adage that a leopard never changes his spots is most apt.

The OUR and the telecommunications ministry need to get their act together and start working in the interest of Jamaica’s citizens.

James Ustanny

Kingston 19

ustannyjames@gmail.com