Telecommunications Minister Neletha Butterfield said yesterday that her meeting with internet service provider (ISP) representatives had been “productive” and was all part of the consultation process.

The predominantly locally-owned ISPs believe they could be wiped out by foreign-owned giants if the proposals of Ms Butterfield’s Ministry for telecom industry regulatory reform become policy.

Speaking on behalf of Ms Butterfield, Wayne Carey, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Environment, Telecommunications and E-Commerce (METEC) said the ISPs’ strength of feeling was to be expected.

“One has to appreciate that any time changes are contemplated in the regulatory regime of an industry, it is bound to elicit strong views from stakeholders,” Mr. Carey said.

“The telecommunications industry is no different; what is key is to ensure that those views are heard, understood and taken seriously as we strive to improve the industry in the best interests of the people of Bermuda.

“I believe that the views expressed at today’s (yesterday’s) meeting will be expanded in formal submissions as part of the consultation process.”

And Mr. Carey had a positive view of the meeting, which was arranged at short notice after the consultation document’s publication.

“The meeting was a very open, productive one, and the Minister was pleased to accommodate them on their request for an immediate meeting,” Mr. Carey said.

“The Minister listened to the concerns of the telecommunications companies represented. The Minister acknowledged their concerns and sought to understand the reasons behind their thinking.

“The Minister clarified for the representatives that the document recently released by the Department of Telecommunications was part of an overall process of consultation with the industry. The meeting gave them the opportunity to put their views directly to the Minister.”