Log In

Reset Password
BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Ministry mulls whether to revoke Transact licence

A Government lawyer revealed in Supreme Court yesterday that the Ministry of Business Development and Tourism is “actively considering” whether to revoke or suspend Internet provider Transact’s licence.Consultant Crown counsel Maurice Cottle said that Transact would be given seven days’ notice and the opportunity to respond if any order to revoke or suspend it licence was made.Mr Cottle said the Minister had powers under the Telecoms Act to make such an order, noting the Registrar of Companies comes under the Ministry of Business Development.It’s Government’s case, as stated in affidavits, that the Digicel-branded long distance service (now halted by court order) offered through sister company Transact is not lawful and that Transact does not have a licence to do business in Bermuda.A Government affidavit stated: “Transact cannot lawfully provide a long distance telephone service, or any service at all, to customers in Bermuda or any customers at all ... None of (Digicel) or Transact is entitled to market ‘Transact’s long distance telephone service’ either to customers in Bermuda or elsewhere at all; or to any customers of other carriers at all; or using the ‘Digicel’ brand name ...”However, Digicel insisted the new long distance service is lawful and also has stated that its new internet service provided by Transact was in no way affected by the current legal proceedings.“The Court proceedings relate solely to the provision of International Long Distance services,” Digicel has stated. “The ISP offerings are not affected in any way.”Digicel has extended a $9-a-month 10 Mb home internet special introductory rate.