The Editor, Sir:

My understanding is that there was never any legislation or restriction by the Government or the Broadcasting Commission regarding zoning (two per zone). The restriction on two per zone came about solely by Jamaica Public Service restrictions not to have more than two operators on its pole lines (for obvious reasons, space restrictions, etc).

In other words, if you wanted to provide all-island cable/Internet and were willing to undergo the expense of installing underground cable and conduit across the entire island of Jamaica, there were no laws stopping you from doing so. It should be noted as well that a significant part of Flow's network, especially the backbone is, in fact, underground.

Flow bought Merit communications because Merit had obtained an exclusive all-island agreement with JPS for pole-line mounting. This facilitated its all-island network roll-out. It needs to be brought out that the Government cannot instruct JPS to allow as many operators to mount on JPS poles as it (Government) desires. This has to be a JPS decision based on careful engineering considerations; in fact, when one looks at a modern city like New York, most of the new fibre optic services being installed are being done underground.

I am, etc.,

DEAN WILLIAMSON

dwilliamson@aaj.com.jm