Opposition Spokesman on Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, says the decision by telecommunications providers LIME and Digicel to block the use of certain VOIP applications on their networks, sets a dangerous precedent.
Dr. Wheatley says the decision could have an adverse effect as the country tries to encourage greater use of technology for economic development.
The Opposition Spokesman says the government needs to state clearly how it intends to create the needed framework to encourage ICT development, while permitting the actions announced by the telecoms firms.
According to Dr. Wheatley, the government and the Office of Utilities Regulation need to say how they view the rights of consumers who’ve paid theri subscription to mobile and data networks, only to experience limited access when seeking to use certain applications.
He says the situation brings into sharp focus the need for the government to accelerate the drafting and tabling of the promised ICT Act.
Dr. Wheatley says as the law stands, telecoms providers are able to exploit several loopholes.
