So, here's the state of play after the round of consultations by BTL executives. According to our sources, the opposition has rejected the pitch for acquisition and is planning a public protest. The NTUCB has not formed a final position yet - and this is expected this weekend. Sources tell us that the Chamber of Commerce has asked for a presentation to its wider membership at a mixer. The Communication Workers Union will reportedly go to a poll of its membership to finalize its position.
And, Cabinet, well, according to a release, "it will make its position public when BTL has concluded its round of consultations."
But, we pretty much already know what that position is because - not surprisingly - the Prime Minister came out yesterday publicly endorsing the acquisition. And this morning at the high court, Minister of Immigration Kareem Musa tried to put a tasty new spin on it: instead of monopoly he called it an era of "super competition":
Jo:
"Switching questions: do you support the BTL acquisition of Smart?"
Kareem Musa, Minister of Immigration
"I'm sure you saw the press release from cabinet that we will put out our formal position once the consultations have been done."
Jo:
"Sir but about 23 years ago, your father Said Musa introduced competition in the telecom sector. Is it retrograde to go back to a monopoly? "
Kareem Musa, Minister of Immigration
"I don't see it as a monopoly. And I'll tell you why. I believe that we are entering into an era of super competition. When you look at Starlink, when you look at the type of resources that they're going to be coming with in terms of implementing their networks here in country, and other potential networks from international sources, it's going to be super competition."
