From Bad to Worse

What is the Gubment thinking? Today's Gulf News carries a story about the newly-established Telecoms Regulatory Authority. You might, in your naivety, think the TRA would be responsible for protecting the interests of consumers. But it turns out that they see their job as being exactly the opposite of that. It seems they exist to protect the interests of the duopoly partners.

They are saying there will be no opening up of the telecoms sector for at least ten years! Strangely, Etisalat are very happy to set up competitive networks in other countries (Saudi Arabia being their latest new market), but we'll have none of that at home, shukran.

I really, really, can't believe this.

'The TRA is working out a price-control mechanism to eliminate the possibility of a price war.

"We do not want a price war in the market. The two companies can compete on technology and service superiority," he (TRA Director General Mohammad N. Al Ghanim) said, without elaborating.'

How very cosy.