Cayman Islands Telecommunications Regulator Is Born

by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, New York

05 June 2002

After a long-drawn out birth process, the Cayman Islands Information and Communications Technology Authority (ICTA) finally came into existence last week, with the appointment of its Board.

ICTA is responsible for regulating all ICT networks and services, including telephony, broadcasting, radio and e-business, and is established under the Information and Communications Technology Law 2002. It is expected that ICTA's Internet site, www.icta.ky, containing both applications and terms of licences, will be available within the next few weeks.

Responsible for the overall operation of the ICT Authority are, Dr. Chris Rose, Executive Director of the Secretariat, who has been appointed Chairman; former Director of the Information Technology Strategy Unit, Dave Archbold, appointed Managing Director, and directors Sheri Bodden-Cowan, former Chair of the Immigration Board; Bruce Blake, Financial Controller for Maples and Calder and Glen Daykin, Director of Caribbean Security Systems.

"The enactment of the ICTA Law and the establishment of the authority are the culmination of a lot of hard work by many people in the public and private sectors," said Dave Archbold.

Minister for Planning, Communications, Works and Information Technology, the Hon. Linford A. Pierson, OBE, JP, who was responsible for the passage of the Law, said: "The creation of the ICT Law and the authority is a significant step forward for the development of e-business and telecommunications in the Cayman Islands. It will be a great asset to have all information and communications technologies regulated under the same law and by the same body."

The Cayman Government had come under considerable pressure from local business interests to push forward with the liberalisation of telecommunications against stubborn resistance from monopoly operator Cable and Wireless, but the draft ICTA Bill was judged insufficiently tough when it first saw the light of day last December, leading to the appointment of UK consultants to review its terms.

The Bill was finally put before the Legislative Assembly in March. According to the timetable laid down by Mr Pierson last year, July 2002 is the target date for completion of discussions with Cable & Wireless and the phased liberalisation of telecommunications was expected to commence in August 2002.

Recommended