Subject:            ITPAG Meeting
Date:                May 16, 2000
Present:
Lance Hinds (LH), Software Dynamics
Alex Graham (AG), Tagman Business Services
Ronan McDermott (RM), mcdis
Andrew Mancey (AM),   SDNP

I.                    Joining the Private Sector Commission

·         LH reported that it would cost $67,500 a year to join the Private Sector Commission

·         It was agreed that a target date to join the organisation should be set. It agreed that this date should be June 30^th, 2000.

·         LH is to find out about the criteria for joining the PSC. 

·         It was agreed that ITPAG would once again make efforts to increase its membership since one of the requirements of the PSC would be that the organisation must represent a wide cross section of the industry. LH and RM to contact some of the other local IT firms

II.                  Meeting with the President

·         LH reporting that he had made a preliminary arrangement to see the President but did nothing further s until ITPAG developed a agenda for the meeting.

·         AG suggested that the ITPAG see the Min of Trade and the Prime Minister first then see the President. AG to arrange these meetings during the week of May 22, 2000.

·         The agenda for these meetings will be finalised via the Maillist.

III.                Issues with the .gy domain suffix

·         LH outlined the problems he had trying to register internet domain names using the .gy suffix. He also expressed the opinion that Guyana simply does not have enough access or control over the suffix that has legally and by international agreeement been assigned to them.

·         AM outlined the efforts SDNP has making to get the right to admister the domain.

·         It was agreed that SDNP is the local organisation best suited to administer the local domain names.

·         Also of great concern was the fact that there were rumours that UG was apparently approached to sell the administrative right to the .gy suffix.

·         It was agreed that this is national not to mention a trade issue and therefore should be taken to the highest levels of government. This issue will be part of the agenda for the meeting with the Minister, Prime Minister and the President.

·         RM has been assigned to develop the draft position document on this issue.

IV.                Licensing of Wireless communication

·         LH explained the National Frequency Management Unit has been trying to charge local companies who use wireless technology exorbitant fees for the use of frequencies. He expressed the opinion that in view of the fact that this is a fledging industry these fees should be revised or waived. He also feels that there some frequencies that NFMU cannot charge for since they are not license in the first instance.

·         It was agreed that this is another issue to be taken to the government to be addressed this will be part the agenda for the meeting. This will be posited as a developmental issue.

·         AG will have informal discussions with the head of the NFMU

·         LH is to get the regulations from the ITU (International Telecommunications Union)

There being no other business, the meeting was concluded at 8.15 PM

Lance Hinds

Coordinator, ITPAG

ITPAG