28 Aug 2003

Fiji's Amalgamated Telecom criticised

2:40 pm on 28 August 2003

One of Fiji's leading business people has attacked the role of Amalgamated Telecom Holdings in dampening business entrepreneurship.

Mahendra Motibhai Patel says the monopoly in Fiji's telecommunications sector is denying citizens affordable and competitive rates to communicate globally.

Mr Patel has called on ATH not to baffle people with complicated jargon.

He says in business, competitive pricing and delivery of goods and services at affordable prices, is the prime concern of the provider, the regulator and everyone concerned.

Mr Patel says to be denied these is a sin which should not be forgiven.

He says businesses, including small enterprises, are unable to grow and become profitable, because the cost of doing business is so expensive.