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THE major States debate to decide on whether Jersey Telecom should be sold off to a multinational communications business is now scheduled for next month.

It had been planned that the debate would be on 15 January, but Treasury Minister Terry Le Sueur decided to ask for a delay after learning that Economic Development Minister Philip Ozouf wanted to assess the impact of separating the network elements from the retail side of the States-owned utility. In effect, Senator Ozouf told the Telecoms scrutiny sub-panel before Christmas that he would be intent on splitting up Jersey Telecom into parts – whether or not the States decide to back the sale. Senator Ozouf wants to ensure that all the competing telecom companies in the Island can get equal access to the network in future. He said that he wanted to ensure there was a level playing field for all competing businesses. As a result, the Economic Development Minister is likely to order the competition regulator to carry out an investigation into how best to achieve that aim.

Jason the Maverick

This has really been one hell of a fiasco. I think they should sell it to a major Telecommunications company because they would be able to take the company forward.

We have discussed JT many times on other forums and I still think the idea of a state owned service is morally wrong. Companies should not be at competition against a Government owned infrastructure.

The only people that have argued against this idea really only ends up being the staff. It is pretty common knowledge that the staff at JT are over paid in comparison to their counterparts in the same industry. Their welfare is really their problem. And, lets be realistic, what were we paying before C&W and Vodafone came in? £29.99 for a sim card? Over inflated prices for a basic service? They have had their golden egg and now it is time to give something back to the paying public!

ascottboy

J, i got 2 say why sell off somthing that can make money for the states? decreace tax burden etc.etc? Look at BT they are making loads of dosh. If you can have a company making money for the states why sell it??