St Helena : SHG AND CABLE & WIRELESS SOUTH ATLANTIC SIGN NEW DEAL
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Public Relations Information Office) 28.07.2012 (Article Archived on 11.08.2012)
Broadband, TV, telephone and mobile services on St Helena took a crucial step forward today, as SHG and Cable & Wireless South Atlantic Ltd (C&WSA) signed a 10-year deal that will improve services and reduce costs for users, as we move towards air access in 2015. Detailed and tough negotiations produced an outcome which is good for the consumer, good for C&WSA, good for economic development and good for SHG.
SHG AND CABLE & WIRELESS SOUTH ATLANTIC SIGN NEW DEAL
Broadband, TV, telephone and mobile services on St Helena took a crucial step forward today, as SHG and Cable & Wireless South Atlantic Ltd (C&WSA) signed a 10-year deal that will improve services and reduce costs for users, as we move towards air access in 2015. Detailed and tough negotiations produced an outcome which is good for the consumer, good for C&WSA, good for economic development and good for SHG.
The key improvements, to be introduced by C&WSA from Jan 2013 are:
· Broadband
o Speed doubled with significant increase in data allowances
o ‘Over-limit’ charges reduced
o C&WSA will review the introduction of a free/discounted night-time window within the first 5 years of the licence
And charges lowered:
o Broadband charges reduced by 10% from Jan 2013
o Broadband charges reduced by 5% in each of the following 5 years
· TV
o Increases from 3 channels to 15 channels from September 2012, with Parental Control
· Telephone
o 10% reduction in the International Call Tariff from Jan 2013
· Mobile Phones
o C&WSA will invest in a new GSM mobile network in 2014. The network will cover 95% of the population. Services will include voice calls, text messaging, mobile data and inbound and outbound roaming.
And, all published national Tariffs (excl. Broadband and International Voice Tariffs):
· shall not rise by more than the published annual rate of inflation in St Helena, or 6% p.a., whichever is the lower, for the first 5 years (ending Dec. 2017)
In light of the airport and associated economic growth, C&WSA will now invest around £1.5m to bring about these significant technical and infrastructure improvements on St Helena. Improved communications will play a key role in the Island’s development.
This agreement with SHG provides certainty for C&WSA and its staff (exclusive 10-year licence for all services provided to the public) and price certainty for consumers, businesses and potential investors.
As part of this partnership with SHG, a new Electronic Communications Consultative Committee will meet twice a year to review the services provided under this new licence.
HE Governor Capes said:
‘I am grateful to my colleagues in SHG and to our friends in C&WSA who have worked extremely hard to achieve this important agreement. We now have a deal which brings to the consumer improved and new services, while reducing costs. I welcome this clear evidence of C&WSA’s commitment to St Helena and of its confidence in St Helena’s future’.
Hensil O’Bey, C&WSA’s Chief Executive for St Helena added:
‘With the new certainty of extended licences, Cable & Wireless South Atlantic Ltd is investing substantially in new communications infrastructure, while reducing the cost of tariffs on existing services - this reflects also our commitment to improving the experience for customers and to bringing modern communications services to the Island. The airport development reinforces our confidence in this opportunity and in the future prospects for St Helena.’
All published national Tariffs (excl. Broadband and International Voice Tariffs) will not rise by more than the published annual rate of inflation in St Helena, or 6% p.a., whichever is the lower, for the first 5 years (ending Dec. 2017).
Service fees thereafter will be subject to review, from January 2017, with implementation of any price changes in January 2018 (except for fixed monthly Broadband prices, where implementation is January 2019). The initial cost of the new TV package will be £33-35 per month.
Two licences have, in fact, been agreed – one for TV and one for Telecommunications
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