US Federal Communications Commission delegation visits Guyana

A team from the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently visited Guyana, briefing Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes on a wide variety of technical topics. The FCC delegation comprised Deputy Bureau Chief Nese Guendelsberger, and Chief Engineer Robert Nelson. During the meeting, the FCC representatives and Minister Hughes had discussions on areas such as spectrum management and allocation, regulatory best practices, and telecommunications regulatory policy. In addition to Minister Hughes, officials from the National Frequency Management Unit, e-Governance Unit, Public Utilities Commission, Guyana Learning Channel Trust, and Guyana Broadcast Board were in attendance.

Minister Hughes and the FCC representatives cited the importance of such capacity building sessions in assisting the government’s efforts to facilitate the development of world class telecommunications legislation and implementing regulations in order to assist in the development of this growing and vitally important sector of Guyana’s economy. The FCC representatives praised the government’s efforts to modernise telecommunications infrastructure including its recent decision to allow cellular providers to launch 4G service in advance of Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary celebrations. Both the FCC and Ministry of

Telecommunications pledged to continue cooperation as Guyana advances telecommunications modernisation legislation.

While in Guyana, the FCC officials also had the opportunity to participate in the “Girls in Information Communication Technology” event designed to encourage young women to learn more about information technology.

The FCC representatives highlighted the FCC International Visitors Program and online training as excellent opportunities for young women to become more knowledgeable about, and perhaps pursue careers, in the exciting and constantly changing field of telecommunications.