OECS calling for removal of roaming charges between subscribers in member states

The St. Lucia-based Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission is calling for the removal of roaming charges attached to mobile calls between the 9-member sub-regional grouping.

The OECS countries have been arguing that since they have formed a single economic union, they should not have to pay roaming charges between Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Kitts & Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands.

“We want the removal of roaming,” said OECS Director General Didacus Jules.

The OECS position comes also against the backdrop of efforts by the sub-region to make Information Communication Technology more accessible and affordable to consumers in the sub-region. Telecommunication service providers have been calling on government to tax Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications such as Skype and Viber, which they say are impacting negatively on their businesses. But Jules said such a position by the service providers is not feasible.

“What these facilities have brought in terms of value for money proposition to the use of the internet and to the cost of doing business especially for small business people and even at a family level for families being able to keep in touch with their loved ones in the Diaspora. “It cannot be subject to taxation and so on because it is a real material benefit,” he added.

Earlier this week, Grenada’s Prime Minister Keith Mitchell said roaming charges pose a challenge to an integrated Caribbean platform and are too costly.

Mitchell, who is also the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) head of government with responsibility for Information, Communication and Telecommunication (ICT), told delegates attending the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) 25th anniversary ICT Week in Trinidad & Tobago that his government incurred an exorbitant phone bill due to roaming charges. -(CMC)