“We will appeal because there are many things that we feel that were not followed,” he told reporters on Friday.
He said IT&E only wants the proper procedures to be observed, adding that when his company expanded to the CNMI, it took them four years to get the government’s approval.
“I don’t mind competition. We’re competing now with Docomo but I just want people go through the process,” Delgado said, adding that he doesn’t want anybody getting favorable treatment.
On Thursday, during its special meeting, the commission ordered the issuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity to GTA.
IT&E executive vice president Larry Knecht expressed dismay for the commission’s failure to allow them to comment on GTA’s application.
But Viola Alepuyo, the commission’s chairwoman, said IT&E will be given an opportunity to express its concerns during phase two of the proceedings.
Delgado said it would be good for Saipan if there is a level playing field for all investors.
He also believes that “a lot of people in the CNMI will support IT&E which started from nothing here and is based here, and is not a company that is here one day and gone the next day.”
A ‘win’ for NMI
CPUC’s approval of GTA TeleGuam’s request to expand into the CNMI “is a win for the commonwealth,” Dan Tydingco, TeleGuam’s executive vice president of external and legal affairs, said in an email.
Their company, he added, will begin offering business voice and data services in the middle of next year.
Tydingco said “fair competition motivates service providers to innovate and offer improved network and customer services.”
“If providers don’t continually improve service or offer competitive rates, they risk losing market share because customers have a choice of providers,” he added.
GTA said securing regulatory approval to operate in the CNMI is the first major hurdle it needed to clear before it can begin selling business voice and data communications services in the commonwealth.
GTA must now negotiate an inter-carrier connection agreement with the incumbent local exchange provider here — IT&E.
“We are appreciative of the backing and support of key officials like Rep. Stanley T. Torres, Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, Sen. Juan M. Ayuyu, Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Speaker Eli D. Cabrera and other members of the House and Senate, as well as CPUC Commissioners Alepuyo and Manglona. Without their firm belief in competition and economic development for the NMI, our application effort would have gotten nowhere,” Tydingco said.
