GTT opens new stores at Grove, Parika

…company continues to pioneer telecoms services – Minister Walrond

The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) over the weekend opened two new stores – one at Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and the other at Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) – which will undoubtedly create employment and bring services closer to citizens.

Chief Executive Officer of the company, Justin Nedd at the opening stated that there is continued commitment to serving the population, and ensuring that all demands are met. The two new stores add to a fleet of locations under the company’s belt, where services can be accessed.
“This is a first of its kind in Parika and we at GTT are really proud to be part of the community. We’re proud to be able to bring employment and help the community. Earlier this year, we brought faster internet to Parika and this store is really building on that. At GTT, we’re committed to tending to the community and giving people the service that they demand and deserve,” Nedd shared.
However, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond highlighted that this expansion is a testimony to the confidence placed in the economy by GTT. She lauded the telecoms giant for its technological advancements in Guyana.

“It is no secret that GTT has been pioneering telecommunications services in Guyana. GTT has established infrastructure and the latest technology across Guyana and have brought us much closer to realities of a digital world. I’m impressed with your product development, team’s innovation which is always exploring options to leverage technology advancement towards the provision of greater connectivity; and opportunities for citizens and businesses.”
The Minister said that equal access to all Guyanese should be the mandate of all stakeholders. With the recent liberalisation of the telecoms sector, she charged the company to be innovative.
“I will stay an advocate for equal access for all Guyanese. I believe as citizens, we should all be able to enjoy the fruits of our country, regardless of where we live…It is evident that GTT has evolved through technology and remains a stable service provider in Guyana. Now with the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, and the advent of a competitive environment, we encourage GTT to be innovative and aggressive in its thrust to emerge as a leader in technological advancement in Guyana,” the Minister posited.
In October, Prime Minister with responsibility for telecommunications, Mark Phillips announced that Government has issued Commencement Orders, fully bringing into force the Telecommunications Act 2016 (the “Act”) and the Public Utilities Commission Act 2016.
That would have ended a 30-year-old anti-competitive telecommunications monopoly, which Phillips said had “left Guyanese weary, frustrated and lagging behind in the telecommunications arena.”
A week after the liberalisation, the Government started receiving new applications, with more in the pipeline. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had shared during an engagement that the liberalisation brings with it greater competition in the sector. He noted that existing service providers such as Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT), Digicel and E-Networks would have to apply for the licenses they did not previously have.