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BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Move to streamline telecoms services is welcomed

Senators welcomed the creation of ‘one-stop centres’ for telecommunications services as they passed two bills reforming the industry.Progressive Labour Party Senator Diallo Rabain said residents would now be able to get all their Internet needs from the same company, instead of being forced to use two separate firms, thanks to the new legislation.PLP Senators also welcomed quicker Internet access they said would come about from the Regulatory Authority Act and Electronic Communications Act, while residents will be able to keep the same personal number after switching phone companies.One Bermuda Alliance Senator Michael Fahy suggested more advanced technology training be given to Bermudians so they can get jobs in the burgeoning industry.He asked how staff would be found for the Regulatory Authority which is being set up to govern the sector.OBA Senate Leader Michael Dunkley suggested the legislation was fixing a problem that wasn’t there, claiming the existing acts could take care of the industry’s needs.PLP Senator David Burt responded angrily: “Bermudians want to have the ability to take their phone number from one company to another; people want high speed Internet service. Other countries have these things.“I take offence for someone to say this is to solve a problem that has not been identified.”PLP Senator Vincent Ingham said any extra fees companies face as a result of being regulated will be small fry compared to the millions of dollars they have spent in defending positions in the litigious sector so far.