(6) The Commission (FTC) may on its own initiative or on the request of any person carry out any investigation that it considers necessary or desirable in connection with matters falling within the provisions of this Act, the Utilities Regulation Act, and any laws relating to consumer protection and fair competition which the Commission has jurisdiction to administer – Fair Trading Commission Act
When the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) was established in 2001 so much was promised by the previous government of the leadership it was expected to exert on how Utilities were regulated in Barbados. For many years before that it had been the public’s perception that Utilities operated to the beat of their own drums. Since the establishment of the FTC in 2001 nothing has changed to reshape that perception. The Utility which has attracted the greatest ire from Barbadians has been LIME formerly Cable and Wireless. Perhaps what has stung Barbadians the most is the fact jobs have been relocated to St. Lucia and other low cost based islands. This is after decades of Barbados being the cash-cow for Cables & Wireless in the hemisphere. Even if Barbadians were persuaded to finally accept LIME’s, formerly Cable & Wireless restructure, the promise of enhanced customer service as a result of the changes has been elusive.
Barbados Today carried a funny piece last week which poked some fun at the online customer support which kept advising users to visit LIME’s Windsor Lodge Office to seek resolution.
Barbadians are still pissed at LIME’s decision to sever employees at the beginning of the global recession. A great betrayal to the tripartite/social partnership and Prime Minister David Thompson’s request to hold strain. Yes LIME had no regulatory obligation to be sensitive to the request of the Prime Minister or the social partnership but was there the hint of a moral obligation?
The great disappointment to date has been the lack of a proactive stance by the FTC on behalf of Barbadian consumers. Is it correct to say that all of the times the Utilities have approached the FTC they have walked away with close to what they applied for? Have you sensed the same diligence coming from the FTC regarding measures to protect Barbadian consumers?
Of interest to BU has been the action of Ofcom in the United Kingdom; the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries. Ofcom unlike its counterpart in Barbados proactively undertook a market survey to determine the average residential broadband speed. In Barbados we have heard many complaints from consumers about sluggish upload/download ADSL speeds. The current system makes it very difficult if not tedious for consumers to build a good case against LIME to prove poor ADSL service. What we know is a lot of the copper network in Barbados is old plant and must* be contributing to degradation of broadband service in Barbados. The Barbadian telecommunication consumer needs help from an entity with the clout and resources to scope the problem in Barbados and insist on corrective action by LIME. The FTC needs to get up off their lazy overpaid asses and protect LIME consumers. A visit to Ofcom to eyeball what they have been doing is in order if the FTC is ignorant about next steps.
Sir Neville for godsake do something to help consumers!
In an attempt to improve how broadband is sold, Ofcom has been pushing ISPs to adopt a new code of practice, which will mean consumers get more information about speed as they sign up for a new provider. The code is due to come in over the next 12 months and all the UK’s larger ISPs have signed up for it.
Few Britons get the broadband speeds being advertised suggests research. It will mean that, instead of being given a single figure, consumers will get an idea of the range of speeds their line can support. This will be provided as a “durable record” so there can be no dispute if reaching an estimated speed proves elusive.
BU has always been wary of the MOU arrangement between then C&W and the government which occurred at the onset of telecommunications deregulation in Barbados. There was a good relationship which many Barbadians know existed between former C&W CEO Trevor Clarke, COO Vince Yearwood and Human Resource Manager John Williams. Was there a backroom deal?
Facebook users should feel free to subscribe to the LIMES SUCKS page to record their concerns. There is always strength in numbers.
If telecommunications can agree to Codes of Practice in the UK and other markets why not Barbados.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.