Communication

Digicel, Movistar joust over service

Digicel says that Movistar is intentionally delaying the connection process between the two.

Digicel officials yesterday accused rival Movistar of intentionally prolonging the interconnection process between the two companies.

Raúl Burgos, chief executive of Digicel Panama, said that connectivity has been completed with other operators such as C&W Mobile, C&W Fixed, Telecarrier and Cable Onda. Movistar, however, has not complied with deadlines established in an Aug. 21. agreement between the two companies.

As such, Movistar's customers can not call Digicel mobile phones. Burgos said that Digicel has made arrangements with another operator so its customers can call Movistar. Movistar officials, however, said they are following the timetable to connect with Digicel. They said that the process will be completed before the stipulated date, which is Dec. 11. Burgos, however, called that claim “a pathetic attempt to delay the entry of competition into the market.”

He thinks Movistar is trying to delay Digicel's entry into the market until after Christmas, which would hamper its holiday sales.

Burgos reported that Digicel is poised to launch in December, and said they are taking all measures to ensure that their customers have the connectivity they deserve. Movistar officials said that they regret that Digicel is misinforming the community about “a process in which we are fully complying.”

The company also noted that Digicel signed interconnection agreements with the other companies earlier than the one signed with Movistar, which would explain why they have been connected already. A spokesman for the National Authority for Public Services said the agency has not received any formal complaint from Digicel, and that if one is received, it would be analyzed to see if the concession contracts granted by the government are being violated.