Telcor plans to reject 3 of 6 radio frequencies

Chairperson of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority [GNBA], Bibi Shadick today revealed that Radio Guyana Inc. and Telcor Cultural Broadcasting now have six frequencies from which to carry out radio broadcasts.

It was initially announced that these two companies were granted five frequencies. Shadick made the revelation today, June 19 at a press conference. However, iNews was reliably informed that Telcor plans on rejecting three of the six frequencies, due to high cost and lack of investors’ interest.

iNews understands that Telcor is currently seeking investors and may partner with existing media companies to bring its operations into being.

It was Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who announced in the National Assembly that that former President Bharrat Jagdeo granted 11 new radio licences in November, 2011.

Among the 11 were Radio Guyana Inc. and Telcor Cultural Broadcasting. These two licencees, the Prime Minister had said, were each granted five radio frequencies. However, today Shadick said the GNBA had approved six radio frequencies for these two licencees.

Telcor has 90.1 (Georgetown), 91.5 (New Amsterdam), 104.9 (Skeldon,Corentyne), 103.3 (Linden) 104.9 (Bartica) 89.7 (Essequibo).

However, it is not yet known which three of the six frequencies Telcor plan to reject.

Radio Guyana Inc. has 89.5 (Georgetown) 89.3 (Essequibo) 89.7 (New Amsterdam) 106.9 (Skeldon, Corentyne) 107.3 (Linden) and 106.9 (Bartica).

“Me ain’t know. I just calling out what I have,” Shadick told reporters when it was indicated that five frequencies are what the Prime Minister had announced.

The Prime Minister had also announced that Mirror, the newspaper of the ruling People’s Progressive Party was granted five radio frequencies. However, the Mirror has not yet submitted all its documentation to be approved for a licence under the new Act.

All the broadcasters were given permission to continue broadcasting and then to apply to the GNBA for a licence under new regulations of the Broadcasting Act.

Approve licencees have to pay two fees before they are handed their licences. They have to pay a spectrum fee and a licencee fee. [Fareeza Haniff]