months after he started

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A CABLE LICENCE ALLOWS THE APPLICANT TO PROVIDE WIRELESS INTERNET, CABLE TV, TELEPHONE SERVICES AS WELL AS RADIO AND TV CHANNELS.Several cable television operators are now crying foul after being overlooked for broadcasting licences.As a matter of fact, one company which says it pioneered cable TV, introducing the popular Zee TV to Guyana, believes it is being given a raw deal and stifled from expansion.According to Michael Bess, Managing Director of Atlantic Cable TV Network, his company was part of a group of cable operators that had ongoing meetings with former President Bharrat Jagdeo and government officials, starting in 2008, over licencing.Yet, weeks before Jagdeo stepped down, none of the established cable television operators were considered. Rather, two newcomers, E-Networks Inc. and Quark Communications Inc., were both granted permission to broadcast cable TV over the 2.5GHz frequency band.E-Networks is controlled by Vishok Persaud, son of former PPP Parliamentarian, Reepu Daman Persaud, while Quark Communications is owned by Brian Yong, a candidate for the ruling party in the 2011 General and Regional Elections. Both are close friends of Jagdeo.Several radio licences were also controversially issued to mainly close party supporters and Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, the best friend of the former President.The manner in which the radio licences were issued has sparked condemnation from both the local and regional media associations, with sustained protests held by owners of independent media houses who felt government was being vindictive to private media who have been critical of rampant corruption practices and a number of shady and/or illogical multi-billion-dollar projects.Regarding the issuing of the cable TV licences, Atlantic Cable said it has been in existence for 12 years. The company borrowed heavily from the banks, investing over $1B since starting operations in December 1999. It strung up cables between Eccles and Providence providing the service but was not allowed to expand.Breaking his silence on the raging debate over Jagdeo’s decision to issue the licences days before he left office in 2011, Bess said it was during a visit to Trinidad in 1993 that he got the idea to introduce cable TV to Guyana. He had worked with Anthony ‘Tony’ Vieira who operated a scramble system with the television station he owned.Atlantic Cable has invested over $1B in its operations since starting in 1999, its owner says.Bess said he floated the idea to government officials who “thought I was mad”. However, a determined Bess badgered the then administration and in 1999 applied for a licence to bring cable TV to Guyana. There were no provisions in the legislation for cable TV.Bess was granted permission and after paying hundreds of thousands of dollars, in December 1999, the company started operations from his home in Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara. His office remains at Demerara Harbour Bridge Mall to this day.However, in early 2000, months after he started, Bess was written to by government to cease operations. But the businessman protested, stating that he had already been issued a licence –a Television Receiver Only (TVRO) commercial licence. He took the matter to the media and government allowed him to operate, but not expand beyond the Eccles to Providence boundaries. Despite not turning a profit to this day and forced to sell two properties to meeting his loan obligations, Bess persevered.Things became tense in 2008 when the government ordered all Cable TV companies to cease operations. According to Bess, after facing losses, he had taken the decision to expand to Alexander Village, just about a mile from Eccles. His local partner pulled out in frustration.But Bess plodded on, investing heavily.Facing massive losses over the cease operations order by government, cable TV companies staged a protest in Bartica.Bess explained that government agreed to meet on the issue and about seven companies in 2008 met with Jagdeo. However, Bess was thrown out of that meeting because his company had not complied with orders from government to not operate in Alexander Village.That umbrella body comprised operators from Port Kaituma, Region One; Bartica, Region Seven; Linden, Region 10, Lethem, Region Nine and Corentyne, Region Six.The operators were allowed to continue their operations, but were told that they were limited to their specific geographic location. Atlantic Cable was allowed to expand to Mahaica and Timehri.The businessman claimed that it was quite a surprise to learn that Jagdeo went ahead and issued cable licences to operate on wireless frequencies to two companies without the other players even knowing.While E-Networks Inc. was part of the body that was lobbying to government for regularization, Bess was unclear whether Yong was included.“We are all under the same body, yet no others received but those two.”In the meantime, the cable TV operators have not yet been issued licences and have to reapply afresh to the newly established Guyana National Broadcasting Authority.“I had submitted all my documents. We are being asked to do so again,” Bess said.The problem that Atlantic Cable has also is the fact that any new licence which is being looked at by the Broadcast Authority may not include being able to offer wireless service.“We are using wired cable and limited to radius. My operations could stretch to Timehri and Mahaica, but it will be costly. We have to invest in poles and cable.”Bess also disclosed that his company was advised by government to approach the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) to use their poles. To his surprise, in the midst of negotiations, the power company granted E-Networks permission.“I can’t give up on this investment. This is my love and passion. But we have questions.”Bess has several staffers carrying on his operations at his home in Buddy’s Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara.The issue of the frequencies to E-Networks Inc. and Quark communications Inc., is even more significant following revelations this week by the Jamaica government that it was auctioning its frequencies for millions of US dollars to improve Internet penetration there. The Jamaican government wants to raise US$80M in investments from just auctioning those frequencies.Frequencies are limited resources under strict monitoring by governments worldwide.The cable licences granted to Brian Yong and Vishok Persaud are capable of providing wireless internet for smartphones and tablets, telephone and radio services and television channels.