Dear Editor,
Before liberalization of the telecommunications industry in 2020, GTT monopolized this sector and did as they pleased, and this sadly continues to date unabated. Earning billions and providing substandard service to Guyana. Like many other foreign owned companies operating in Guyana those billions earned does not benefit Guyanese since GTT is not a publicly traded company on the stock exchange that Guyanese can invest in and obtain a dividend from the profits of the company. All the profits are for foreign investors/owners. Successive governments have failed to implement adequate measures/policies to ensure that the ordinary Guyanese can benefit from the profits made by foreign companies operating in Guyana, including those operating in the booming extractive and construction sectors. Let’s not be fooled by the rhetoric that you can invest in these foreign companies on the foreign stock exchanges, because it isn’t possible for the ordinary Guyanese to do so, since a social security number is required – an example of a barrier to the US Stock Market.
Now, back to GTT. This company has demonstrated that it is socially engineering customers to become hocked on their products and services to ensure that they continue to make billions for their foreign owners. Here are a few recent examples I wish to highlight:
1. Prior to February 1, 2024, selling credit from your MMG account/wallet meant that the seller earned a small commission of 3.5%. That has now been eliminated without any notice, you just stumble upon it and when you enquire this is the response from GTT:
2. Over the last week, GTT bombarded its subscribers with messages that it was celebrating its 33rd anniversary in Guyana. You were urged to top up $1,500 and get 33 GB data for free. What a deal, eh? I did just that and got the 33 GB data for 7 days. The time frame is never indicated in the original message. I live in Georgetown and traveled to Essequibo over the last weekend. The service was atrocious. Couldn’t make WhatsApp calls, couldn’t use Google maps, couldn’t browse, couldn’t access emails, etc. The 7 days was up and 0.5GB of the 33GB was used because of the service. A message was received to renew the data plan before losing the 32.5 unused GB of data. Social engineering to keep you hooked.
3. Prior to January 2024, you could have purchased a monthly bundle plan for $3,500, shockingly that changed to 7 days, without notice. I was shocked in January when my usual monthly plan was up in 7 days. More social engineering from the wonderful people of GTT.
4. When MMG was launched, there were no fees for bill payments, you even earned credit for paying your internet bill via MMG. It was a move to increase MMG subscribers. Once the subscribers grew a small fee was implemented and was advertised. Last year the fees doubled without notice, you just found out when your back was against the wall and you logged in to pay your bills on the due dates, with no other choice you paid the increased fees. Now because you are socially engineered to pay the bills via MMG they are raking in fees like leaves that fall on the ground when winter approaches.
All is not lost, being frugal by nature, I have now diverted my bill payments to RBL which doesn’t charge any fees for this service. That saves me on average of $1,000 per month, which multiplies to $12,000 per year. I truly hope that the policy makers and consumer advocates do a better job and prevent these social engineering activities of GTT.
Sincerely,
M. Perry
