FLOW takes heavy criticism during community discussion

Cable Television Services provider FLOW came in for much criticism recently during a community discussion organized by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC).

The discussion, which was held on Thursday, July 17, {{more}}at the Layou Learning Resource Centre, had as its agenda: “Are you having issues with telecommunications services being provided by LIME, Digicel or FLOW?”

Persons gathered at the function spoke about a number of issues with LIME and Digicel, but it was FLOW who bore the brunt of the attacks.

But while persons complained that FLOW had taken away the more popular channels that had been offered by Karib Cable, the former owners of the cable service, Shontel Murphy of the NTRC said that the NTRC’s input in the matter comes where the pricing of the packages in FLOW’s three-tier channel line-up is concerned and not regulating of the content itself.

“The legislative framework which governs the NTRC (a statutory body) does not allow us to regulate the content offered by any service provider,” said Murphy, who added that as a result, the NTRC cannot regulate the channel line-up or content offered by FLOW.

She said that complaints about content are more suited for the Ministry of Telecommunications, which is headed by Senator Camillo Gonsalves.

“It is a very sensitive matter and in explaining this, we must firstly establish and understand that the NTRC and the Ministry of Telecommunications are two separate entities. The ministry, specifically the Minister of Telecoms, is responsible for the issuing of licenses to large telecommunication service providers such as FLOW and it is within these agreements signed between the company and the Government that specifications are made where content provision is concerned,” said Murphy.

She added that the NTRC, as mentioned before, can regulate the prices of the packages offered to ensure that the service provided by the company is fairly and justly priced, “given that the company operates within a monopoly where cable TV services are concerned.”

She also noted, “in the grand scheme the NTRC’s role is to ensure that the cable TV market is one which is opened to competitors alike and to foster environments conducive of this.”

She revealed that so far, the NTRC has seen the issuance of cable licenses to LIME, while they are currently working to introduce other companies to the cable market.

“In the meantime, however, we will continue to work towards a solution which is in the best interest of both the consumer and the providers,” said Murphy.

The community discussion also saw accountant at the NTRC Mishka Quashie giving a presentation on the role of the NTRC and the NTRC’s Marcellus Constance doing a presentation on Cyber Security.

Also present at the community discussion was LIME’s general manager Leslie Jack.

The NTRC’s community discussions, which are held throughout the island at announced dates, are aimed at educating persons about the NTRC’s functions and the organization’s projects, which are conducted using the Universal Service Fund (USF).