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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

12.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Regulatory and Litigation Matters

 

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to certain regulatory and legal proceedings and other claims arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which involve claims for damages and taxes that are substantial in amount. The Company believes that, except for the items discussed below and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, for which the Company is currently unable to predict the final outcome, the disposition of proceedings currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

On May 8, 2009, Digicel filed a lawsuit in Guyana challenging the legality of GT&T’s exclusive license rights under Guyana’s constitution. Digicel initially filed this lawsuit against the Attorney General of Guyana in the High Court. On May 13, 2009, GT&T petitioned to intervene in the suit in order to oppose Digicel’s claims and that petition was granted on May 18, 2009. GT&T filed an answer to the charge on June 22, 2009 and the case is pending.  The Company believes that any legal challenge to GT&T’s exclusive license rights granted in 1990 is without merit and the Company is vigorously defending against the legal challenge.

 

In Bermuda, the Regulatory Authority continued its implementation of the Electronic Communications Act of 2011, which allows communications service providers to enter new lines of business and introduces competition in the sector.  As the government of Bermuda continues to reform the local telecommunications market it is possible that new or amended regulations may establish regulatory and other fees that could increase our regulatory costs. We cannot predict when or if these proposals will be adopted, or, if adopted, the impact that their implementation will have on our Island Wireless Segment.

 

The term of the Company’s telecommunications license to operate in Aruba expired on January 15, 2014. The government of Aruba informed the Company earlier in January 2014 that a renewed license would be issued only upon payment by the Company of a fee in the amount of approximately $4.0 million.  In addition, the government of Aruba demanded that the Company pay overdue spectrum invoices in the amount of approximately $2.0 million no later than July 31, 2014. The Company continues to contest the assessment of these fees, and continues to operate actively seek a resolution with the Aruba government with respect to the fees, if any, to be paid in relation to a renewed license and the assessed spectrum fees.