And while Espat says it could go either way for the PUP, for the consumers and the free press he sees it more plainly. He said they benefit from competition:
Reporter:
"What do you believe if BTL buys out the major competitor, will we be creating a monopoly?"
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing
"Locally yes. You can't run away from that concept. You're arguing two separate things, on the international level you won't have a monopoly, but at a local level, you do. And you see, people have a concern. The media says I am concerned because if you have, government dominated telecommunications, they can put a target on my shoulder and I won't be able to function, more or less, I understood you guys were saying, that's a valid point. So we have to listen to that. And if it is done, then legislation has to be put in to ensure that that does not happen. The consumers are concerned. I said in the past if they give me a bad service, but the price was kind of all right, I'll consider to go to the guy who would give me a better service, but it's a bit more expensive or less expensive. You have the option. with what is happening, you want to have an option. And I believe that options are always positive."
And, while Espat is cautious, the political effort to gain support for the acquisition from the PUP party is in overdrive tonight. Reports are that this evening at 6:00, BTL is making a presentation to party supporters and Constituency Executive Members at the House of Culture.
