Jamaica could potentially see new operator Rock Mobile enter its telecoms market with a former banking executive at the helm after enquiries were made with the country’s regulator on new entrant market conditions.
The Jamaica Gleaner reported, former head of Scotiabank Jamaica Bruce Bowen and his wife Suzanne Fernando-Bowen, contacted the Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) in response to its Spectrum Cap Consultation launched last year, to enquire on the equal distribution of spectrum to enable new market entrants.
The operator said: “While Rock does not object to the proposed spectrum screen at this time, it is urging the SMA to focus on maintaining a competitive landscape of which entry of new operators is a critical element.”
Bowed did not provide any details on the operator’s business model to the newspaper, but pledged to do so in the future.
The operator said in a statement in response to the SMA’s ‘Proposed Spectrum Holding Policy—A Review of Mobile Spectrum Holding Policy’: “Rock’s considered view is that policies and regulations affecting the telecommunications industry must support ease of entry by new operators. Accordingly, Rock wishes to also urge a policy of transparency as regards spectrum holdings and allocations. This is essential for effective and fair operation of the policy,”
Rock Mobile is owned by investment firm Rock Capital Partners a company registers in 2017 by the Bowens.
The operator would go up against Digicel Jamaica and Flow Jamaica, which are the dominant market leaders in Jamaica.
