FLOW Barbados has yet again increase rates on core plans offered to Barbadians. It is interesting to note the regulator – Fair Trading Commission (FTC) – has not authority to intervene in fixing mobile prices.
Barbados is at a crucial stage in its development to transform doing business by effectively integrating ubiquitous technology to support business and non business facilitation. It seems counter intuitive the Mottley government is on on a mission to transform the local economy with digitalisation a key plank to the strategy AND the main telecoms hell bent on increasing rates at every opportunity.
IF the customer service delivery by FLOW was professional and credible there would be a reasonable argument that premium service demands a high price to be paid by the consumer. However, there is consensus- whether anecdotal or otherwise- FLOW’s customer service ‘sucks’ and is as sour as the proverbial LIME.
The blogmaster is aware of the JUMP initiative. The blogmaster sees JUMP as the obligatory public relations gimmick conceived to ‘balm the high rates wound’ inflicted on a defenceless consumer. Here is another example of a Mia Caring government falling short when it matters. Then again what can our all powerful Prime Minister who strides global pathways like a colossus do if she is unable to influence important actions on the ground? How long has the FTC been deliberating on the EMERA/Barbados Light and Power company rate hearing? It must be going on three rh years.
Utility regulation exists because acting in self-interest is an unavoidable temptation of monopolies. It takes a fair but strong regulatory system to ensure that the interests of both the public and utility shareholders and executives are protected.
The purpose of utility regulation must be protecting the public
The obvious question from a simple minded blogmaster – should mobile rates and related business be regulated by the FTC? If the answer is in the affirmative what can be done to grease the decision making process at the regulator to make this a reality? Something must be wrong if it takes years for a utility regulator to arrive at a decision holding Barbadians and the country at ransom in the process.
How can Barbados reduce its cost of living/rate of inflation if there is no opportunity for utility players to be fairly regulated? A regulator has the role and responsibility to ensure that the fairest market place exist for BOTH customers as well as the utilities. What we are witnessing in another case of the tail wagging the dog.
The rate increase by FLOW is what some have been reacting to but the many have become numb because of what is believed to be futility in protest, a key tenet to how a breathing democratic system is designed to work. FLOW is operating with the same insensitivity to public comment as political parties have historically done.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.