Dear Editor,
Once again, the Public Services Commission is denying quality telecommunications service to the people it is supposed to serve — the public.
I am referring to the PSC's recent decision to deny a request from Choice Communications that it order Innovative Telephone to lease high-speed Internet lines to them. This request was denied outright with no public hearings, despite the fact that Innovative has similar business arrangements with other competitors.
It was reported that PSC hearing examiner Rosalie Simmonds Ballentine told PSC members that Choice failed to show a demand from the public for high-speed Internet service.
I am one of those members of the public Ms. Ballentine does not want to hear from. For months, I have been requesting high-speed Internet service from Choice Communications, but they have been unable to provide it. I refuse to switch my service provider to Innovative PowerNet, whose service is notoriously unreliable and unstable. Any unbiased PowerNet customer will tell you about the problems they have had with this service. Choice is my choice because of better service.
By denying the request, the PSC is effectively denying competition. I thought the telecommunications industry was supposed to be de-regulated eight years ago and open to competitors. Apparently the Virgin Islands Public Services Commission doesn't believe it has to abide by U.S. laws.
Michael Burton
St. Thomas
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