GT&T PUBLIC NOTICE
There has been much press and media coverage of positions taken by the Government and GTT on the spectrum allocation issue. For our part, GT&T responded to what it felt were a number of inaccurate and unfair statements in the press. However, we are concerned that the differences in the positions taken by Government and GT&T on the spectrum allocation issue have come to be construed as a “war of words” between the parties. GT&T wishes to state categorically that Management has never considered itself “at war” with Government. Indeed, as the GM/CEO made clear at our recent press Conference, we have always recognized that as a corporate citizen and one of the largest employers in Guyana, we have an obligation to work cooperatively and in good faith with Government.
We understand and agree that radio spectrum is the essential resource for all mobile networks and we agree that insofar as it is a finite resource Government has a responsibility to manage it effectively in the national interest. However, we continue to believe that, having initially designed our network to operate with the approved one half of the available GSM 900 MHz spectrum, GT&T ought to have been left with that allocation.
All this notwithstanding, we share the Government’s and the public’s concern over the current congestion in our GSM network and we are continuing to commit all resources to alleviate this in the shortest possible timeframe. We believe the Government shares our sense of urgency in resolving the congestion problems and we want to work constructively and collaboratively with the Government towards finding a solution that satisfies all parties, particularly our customers. To this end we are happy to report that we have accepted the Government’s suggestion of utilizing the 1800 MHz with a view to re-engineering our network to alleviate the congestion.
The Company will erect 3 new sites in the Georgetown core area (bounded by the Seawall, Water Street, and Sheriff Street/Mandela Avenue) within 3 months and two additional sites within 6 months.
In the interim, we are continuing our efforts to optimize the network, improve coverage and enhance overall service quality. This entails, among other things:
Reducing coverage gaps along the Eastern Corridor (i.e. Georgetown to New Amsterdam) by a) erecting a new cell site at Rosignol whose turn up is imminent, and erecting sites to improve coverage and quality in the vicinity of Bath, Belladrum, Planter’s Hall, Ann’s Grove, and Enterprise within six months;
Reducing coverage gaps along the Eastern Corridor (i.e. New Amsterdam to Whim) by a) erecting a site within the vicinity of Fyrish within six months;
Improving coverage and network capacity along the Southern Corridor (Georgetown to Linden) by a) increasing network coverage and capacity at Linden during March 2006, b) Long Creek during March 2006 (coverage now extends to St. Cuthbert’s Mission), and erecting a new site at Land of Canaan within three months.
Improving coverage on the Western Corridor (Georgetown to Parika) by erecting new sites at Windsor Forest and Parika within 6 months.
Eliminating residual coverage gaps between New Amsterdam and Skeldon, the West Coast of Demerara, Georgetown to Timehri and on the Essequibo Coast.
The expansion and timeframes discussed above are contingent on a timely acquisition of sites for the necessary erection of equipment. GT&T looks forward to working with all parties on this to make it possible and we apologize sincerely to our customers for the inconvenience they have suffered over the past several months as we have struggled to deal with some unique difficulties. We will continue to work to improve our services in all respects and thank our customers for their patience and understanding.
Management
March 10, 2006