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As part of its proactive engagement and consultation process regarding the future of broadband provision in the Channel Islands, CICRA recently held a collaborative stakeholder meeting at the Duke of Richmond Hotel in Guernsey with all local operators, the States of Jersey and Guernsey, Digital Jersey and Greenhouse Guernsey.
Colin Vaudin (the Chief Information Officer from the States of Guernsey) and Stephanie Peat (Director of Digital and Telecoms Policy SOJ) presented their respective Bailiwick telecoms policies and provided feedback regarding what government is expecting to see from the current CICRA consultation process.
As a direct result of these government telecoms policies CICRA is undertaking a pragmatic consultation process for the future economic regulation of the broadband markets across the Channel Islands to ensure the markets are supporting:
JT and Sure presented their wholesale plans and their retail requirements in both Bailiwicks and there was positive feedback to both operators regarding the current services they offer and the level of investment that has been implemented along with their future development plans.
We identified a number of areas for improvement: communication between the operators, government and CICRA to help promote the current positive broadband services, locally and internationally, the need to ensure that wholesale services support current retail suppliers and any potential new entrant; and that there is a good return on operator investments implementing new technology.
Positive feedback was provided to CICRA regarding the new engagement process and the consultation initiative. All parties agreed to work closely together to achieve the best outcome possible for the Channel Islands.
Stephanie Peat Said: "It was a very constructive meeting and we look forward to working with everyone to achieve the best outcome for all consumers."
Colin Vaudin said: "This was the first meeting of its type involving all the key stakeholders and we welcome the opportunity to develop a market that will benefit the Bailiwick of Guernsey."
Chris Durnell, Sure's Legal and Regulatory Director said, "Sure welcomed this initiative from CICRA and looks forward to working closely with CICRA and other stakeholders including the States of Guernsey and States of Jersey, to ensure we can continue to provide all our customers with excellent broadband services across all the Islands."
Gary Whipp Newtel said "It was a refreshing change to get all interested parties and all of the licenced operators together in one room and for a change they all had the same goal, I hope this is the start of good things to come."
Airtel-Vodafone CEO Sid Ahlawat said, "I welcome CICRA's collaborative approach to future fixed broadband provision in the Channel Islands. Although we do not currently operate in this space, we have a keen interest in ensuring robust competition for island business, wholesale and retail broadband customers alike."
Michael Byrne, Chief Executive of CICRA concluded, "I was delighted with the event and the engagement from everyone who took part. CICRA looks forward to receiving the consultation feedback from key stakeholders so that we can make the informed decisions that will benefit everyone across the Islands".
The consultation document is available on the CICRA website and CICRA welcome all feedback to help us make informed decisions. (see note)
https://www.cicra.gg/cases/2018/t1360gj-broadband-market/t1360gj-broadband-consultation/
