P.U.C. to announce new phone rates
And while the water rate was the prime focus of the Public Utilities Commission?s press conference, Chairman Dr. Gilbert Canton took time out to address issues affecting the telecommunications sector. According to Canton, it is the view of the P.U.C. that B.T.L. continues to charge illegal rates to consumers, but a recent court ruling dismissing the Commission’s application for a clarification of what the legal rates are, has now left the matter in limbo. Canton says that unless consumers now take the matters into their own hands and seek clarification from the courts, B.T.L. is free to continue charging those illegal rates.
Gilbert Canton, Chairman, P.U.C.
“We have our position, B.T.L. has their position and there?s a debate about what the implications–it?s a question of law and a question of law can only be answered in the court. When we took it the first time we asked for a declaration from the court to say that the rates are this from such a period to such, from December 2001 to present. That would have clarified the issue. What they?re saying is we don?t have the standards to make that representation. It would seem that would be easier and better handled from a consumer making a case. That?s why I think somebody like Mr. Lascelle and Mr. Cedric may be better advised to go directly at it that way… As far as the P.U.C. is concerned, the rates were set by the government prior to December first, 2001.”
Canton says the P.U.C. will announce new phone rates on May first. It is the first time that the P.U.C. as a legally constituted entity will be setting rates for the way forward, and Canton says that with only a week left before the May first deadline, he is unable to say whether or not there will be a rate increase.