Columbus takes Government of the Netherlands Antilles to Court

February 18, 2009 12:06 PM

Telecom-minister Maurice Adriaens (FOL) indicated that Columbus Networks Curaçao has instituted legal proceedings against the Government of the Netherlands Antilles. She did this to force the issuing of a new concession for international telephony and internet in Curacao. The Government has obtained a period of three weeks to argue why there is no response yet on the petition that was submitted by Columbus already in 2007.

In a letter to the government in December of last year, Columbus had already indicated that it was tired of waiting for the issuing of the concession. The letter of Columbus’ lawyer followed last week stating that case is meanwhile before the courts. According to Adriaens, the court has given the Government three weeks to react on Columbus complaint. The minister says that the concession request for Columbus is still in the so-called advisory round. It is at this moment at the Department of Economic Affairs (DEZ) that must map what the consequences would be for other local providers, when issuing the concession to Columbus.
Especially State owned telephone company UTS is concerned about the arrival of Columbus Networks on the island. The company is afraid for unfair competition, because Columbus Networks Curaçao would be able to offer internet on the island for a much lower tariff. The minister contradicts this. He points out that the Government is working on a proposal for a minimum tariff for telecommunication wholesalers, which implies that the local providers will be offered a minimum tariff.

Columbus Networks Curaçao is a subsidiairy of Columbus Networks that is for 94 percent owner and operator of the Americas Region Optical Ring System (Arcos), the optic fiber-cable network that connects the Caribbean and Central America.

(Source: National newspaper Amigoe)

17 February, 2009

Columbus Networks is being represented in this case by Mr. Roel Bijkerk of Van de Laarschot & Associates.