The critics of the Cable & Wireless Communications acquisition of Flow are out in earnest. But have these detractors taken an equitable look at the background?
There may well be consequent loss of jobs, but where did the present employment originate?
In the early 1990s, investors came to an economy still in a downturn, built infrastructure and launched cable companies. These risky investments were eventually successful, and after series of mergers/takeovers Flow became the sole provider.
There are now perhaps 100,000 subscribers to Flow. Technicians were trained, then sent out bit by bit to all corners of the country to install a box and connecting lines in each location. And do it all over more than once as technology, including digital advanced. The head office needed support staff. Vehicles were purchased. Buildings were leased. These are just some of the contributions made to the economy.
Cable provided our citizens with previously unavailable access to real time world events and commentaries, as well high-quality documentary programming in science, history, geography, to name just a few.
The shareholders of Flow then made further investments in broadband and land lines, all creating more direct and indirect employment.
In 1990, there was no one employed in cable. Did the social economists sing the praises of the employment created by these entrepreneurs?
A dim view of monopoly, or perhaps duopoly, has also been put forward. But every type of business began as a monopoly. Were there critics when the first editor printed the first edition of a newspaper? No, others waited in eagerness to step in if the risk proved worthwhile. And the same here as Flow, having firmly established the industry's profitability, now has two competitors. Yet no one knows what the future holds for cable, as streaming services become popular, and the computer takes the place of the TV.
I am by no means taking the side of conglomerates. But each company, no matter how huge, is owned by real people who are entitled to seek the best return for their investment. If this means that Cable and Wireless deems expansion into Trinidad a wise investment, then we trust that any separated employees will be treated fairly. And the modern still expanding hi-tech world is replete with opportunities for our well trained, diligent, intelligent, and educated citizens.
Johnson Singh
Orangefield Road
Carapichaima