The Public Utilities Commission yesterday expressed strong concern over  “the severe disruptions”  in GT&T’s voice and data services  on Thursday at approximately 11:00am,  and warned that if there are repeated interruptions  it may recommend that other providers be issued with licences allowing for international connectivity.

The service was restored about four hours later.

The PUC in a press release said that when the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Ltd was contacted  the company informed the Commission that the disruption was a possible result of excavation  works being carried out in neighbouring Suriname.

GT&T also noted, the release stated, that there was no  disruption to the voice traffic since this was  rerouted to satellite, but it was stated  that there was some amount of latency with respect to data transmissions.

However, according to reports  coming  into the PUC there were significant disruptions to voice traffic, both local and international, and the data transmissions were completely disrupted.

The Commission also noted that this year there have been five disruptions between February 5  and June 11, and nine disruptions in 2008 between February 28 and November 25. The PUC further pointed out that the problem had caused severe disruptions to businesses in the commercial sector, possible financial losses to companies, and may have serious implications for Guyana’s national security.

Moreover,  should there be repeated interruptions in the service, the Commission may be left with no option but to recommend to the licencing authority that other providers be issued with licences allowing for international connectivity, the release added.