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The Policy & Resources Committee is supporting a proposed time limited exemption to the Competition Law, to allow telecoms operator Sure to proceed with the acquisition of Airtel in Guernsey.
The Committee said it has "recognised the importance of the transaction to enable investment in Guernsey’s telecoms infrastructure, and considers that the conditions attached to the exemption - included in the Committee for Economic Development’s proposals to the States - will protect consumers in Guernsey".
In addition to the economic benefits, P&R said it believes the transaction will accelerate investment in the island’s telecommunications security, and investment in a more energy-efficient network with a lower power consumption, reducing carbon emissions.
The Committee was also 'assured' by the conditions that will be put in place for consumers on pricing and also the establishment of a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). That would effectively mean that consumers still have a choice between three different retailers of telecoms services in the future, as is the case at present.
The Competition Law provides for exemptions such as this, in cases where there is a public benefit that needs to be part of the considerations, said Deputy Lyndon Trott, President of the Policy & Resources Committee.
“We need to maintain a balance between competition that benefits the consumer, and the ability of businesses in critical areas to invest and improve infrastructure that we all rely on. That is why the Competition Law allows for exemptions where there is a clear public benefit, and this is one of those cases.
"Protecting consumers, while also enabling investment, is key and the inclusion of an MVNO is particularly important as it brings another competitor into the market, using Sure’s network but giving consumers choice for where they get their mobile services.”
The Jersey regulator approved the acquisition in Jersey in July.
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