Minister for Communications and Works, Julian Fraser has warned that Government will act once nothing is done over a period of time in relation to the co-location of towers in the Territory.

In a statement during the Tenth Sitting of the First House of Assembly on Tuesday, Minister Fraser updated the members of the House on meeting held with the three licensed mobile operators.

He said that during the meeting the Town and Country Planning pointed out all the sites of concern, but none of the providers were in agreement with the position of Government.

“As things stand now, pending the outcome of the series of steps outlined, there is a freeze on all tower erection. Government will not wait forever and after a reasonable amount of waiting if nothing is done, it will be our turn to make our next move,” Minister Fraser stated.

According to Minister Fraser, it was decided that Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) will play a more active role in the process, since any granting of permission to erect towers in the future will have to be granted first by the TRC.

“After all these steps it is difficult to see how we can go wrong. I am aware that the possibility exists that some legislation might be necessary so the TRC was directed to review the current legislation and advice on any need for amendment,” Minister Fraser stated.

Meanwhile, Digicel BVI said that it has successfully concluded negotiations with bmobile for co-location on 13 cellular sites throughout the territory, with a further 13 being considered based on the outcome of a technical review.

Officials from Digicel and bmobile met on Tuesday at the Treasure Isle Hotel to agree on tower sharing possibilities, based on a mandate from Minister Fraser, who had convened a July 8 meeting at the Long Bay Resort between Cable & Wireless, CCT Global Communications and Digicel BVI Ltd., following concerns from the public about the proliferation of cell towers throughout the territory.

According to press statement from Digicel, yesterday’s meeting was facilitated by Digicel since bmobile’s officials could not clear their calendar to attend a meeting on July 15 between the telecoms providers. Digicel and CCT went ahead with the previously scheduled meeting and agreed to co locate on nine sites, with a further 13 under review.

“We had a very positive meeting today, which was well attended by both parties,” stated Alan Bates, Chief Executive Officer, Digicel BVI.

“I am delighted to say that we have both agreed on 13 sites that we will co locate on as soon as possible, with an additional 13 sites that we are considering pending further technical review,” a press statement quoted Bates.

He said with the 9 sites agreed on with CCT last week and the 13 today with bmobile, Digicel has now successfully agreed with other operators to co locate on 22 out of a possible 37 Digicel sites.

“This is indeed a milestone in the ongoing negotiations initiated by the Honourable Minister Fraser,” the Digicel CEO said. “From the start of this process, all Digicel sites have been fully provisioned for co-location and were offered to the other operators. Today (Tuesday), after discussions with the other two operators, we have currently agreed on over 60% of the Digicel network for co location. All of these sites are in accordance with the guidelines set out by the government. Let’s not forget, there are another 26 locations that we are considering with both operators as we speak,” bates stated.

He said the applications coming out of Tuesday’s meeting, now a combined total of 22 sites within the Digicel network in the BVI, will be provisioned for co-location.

Digicel will submit applications to the TRC today, Wednesday July 23.

“The onus is now on the TRC and Town and Country Planning to review these applications for approval on behalf of the government and the people of the BVI, and we are hopeful for a quick resolution to this current issue, in the interest of the territory,” Bates said.

“Having now met with both providers, the TRC and T&CP, we feel that Digicel has fully complied with everything requested and urge to TRC and T&CP to expedite the approval on the co location sites submitted so that the construction of The Bigger Better Network can continue and real competition can begin,” he concluded.

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