Minister responsible for Telecommunications Ambrose George has said that Marpin 2k4’s decision to raise its cable television rates did not have to be approved by the government, though he believes that some consultation is needed between the two parties on the matter.
“This is not a matter that government’s approval has to be sought. There’s nowhere in any regulations which says that the government has to approve of any change in rates applied to Marpin 2k4 cable television services,” he stated.
“But what I wish to say at the time is that the information which I have received… that there has to be some kind of consultation with the company… because it is my understanding that the intended increase in the basic cable service rate by Marpin 2k4 is expected to take effect from October 1, 2010…” George stated.
The minister promised that he will soon release a full statement on the matter as he is aware of the “intended” increase in cable service rates.
Earlier this week, Chief Financial Officer of Marpin 2K4 Calvin Patrick said that an increase of $20 would be imposed on the monthly bill starting in October. He said that this was necessary to keep the company viable as it faces a rise in programming costs from providers.
The company’s current monthly cable service bill stands at $50 plus VAT – $57.50. The increase of $20 brings it to $70 plus VAT which will make it $80.50 per month.
Marpin 2K4 came into existence as the former Marpin Telecoms and Boradcasting Services was purchased for EC $14.1 million by a United States company and the Dominica Social Security (DSS) last year. Seventeen employees were made redundant as the new management took over.
Govt did not have to approve marpins rate increase george.. Dandy
Govt did not have to approve marpins rate increase george.. I like it
Marpin survives because of its customers.
Actually, Marpin 2K4 has announced that it will “shoot itself in the leg” by October 2010.
I don’t think that the decision makers were in their “right minds” when they decided on an additional $20 increase. The company will loose funds as long-time and valuable customers withdraw their subscription. This down-ward trend may lead to a “back-lash” i.e. the eventual demise or withdrawal of Marpin2K4 from Dominica. There is a pattern of reaction from this.
Marpin 2K4 lacked tact and prudence in “shocking” the public with such a crude announcement with an “effective immediately” ring to it.
Will Marpin 2K4 now be able to meet their cost as customers withdraw?
If Marpin needed approval from Goverment why didnt Domlec get permission to just suck the pooor people in Dominica? Only person to be honest who toook on Domlec is the PM. But for real Domlec sending people to the grave pooor man while their big shots getting fat. But all of them will die someday and live all the wealth behind. Domlec has no consceience – money talk…
you know what, as far as i am concerned cable tv is a luxury…….. you want it, you pay for it, you cannot afford it, you simply disconnect. we must now learn to set our priorities straight.
Even in the UK it’s like that, everything is rising but not your salary. The world is going to a next level .
Dominica Social security is a GOVT. entity. So Govt. has indirectly already approved the increase, since DSS has 50% shares in that foreign CO. and is part of the decision to the $20.00 increase. Dominicans have been asking whether DSS made a good business decision in investing so much in that TV CO. How much dividend is DSS receiving from its investment? Unemployment has increased significantly in Dominica, and since the workforce has decreased, as well as many people migrating to other countries, DSS is receiving less money, yet has to still pay Social Security benefits to many persons. Think carefully Dominicans, therefore the increase by MARPIN 2K4 in association with DSS the other major shareholder was coming. DSS, MARPIN as well as GOVT. would all benefit from the increase. It is the customers, those employed and the many unemployed or underemployed, who are hard pressed for cash, who will face the music. Govt. will be happy to receive more VAT from the increase at the expense of the Dominican people. Yet another hidden way to further tax the people. So much for a tax-free budget. You all ain’t see nothing yet. Very little production, manufacturing gone, the economy in shambles, expect increased TAXATION, in our faces, HIDDEN or otherwise. Bawl, cry, as you may, that will not change. Dominicans did not understand the saying, ‘THE NEXT LEVEL’ which could be either UP OR DOWN.
….. how can Marpin2k4 be a private co. The article said ‘Marpin 2k4 was purchased by a US company and DSS for $14.1 million last year. Anyways, I agree with some of the comments especially that the increase could have been staggard over 3 years to soften the blow on the majority of the people who are struggling on a daily basis.
What I would also say is cant M2k4/DSS recoup some of the increases they say are inevitable by enticing more companies to advertise on their network? Wouldn’t that bring in some dosh? Instead we have adverts from USA?
I know it’s now the rainy season but cant we braise the rain and demostrate our disappointment at this increase? No? OK, I’ll move to SAT, tomorrow.
well if that’s the case marpin could give us the option of prepaid cable (like prepaid electricity/cellphones), limited cable( as in limited internet), or pay per channel(as in pay per view). besides is not all channels of the tv u really watch so choose your channels and pay for them.
Don’t expect the government to protest too much. As from 1 Oct. they will receive an extra $36.00/year in vat from every Marpin subscriber. Imagine having to pay a total of $126.00/year tax for the privilege of watching G.I.S. on Marpin. Nice business if you can get it!
As long Marpin give better quality and an increase in channels, they can jack up their rate.
But on the other hand, Government is going to take back the 3% given to Public Servants recently on the VAT from Marpin!
wait until we hear about the profit that they will make at the end of the year; so what do they do with that kind of profit. It is the same with Domlec and Lime so come on people the only thing marpin viewers have to do is to not take service in October until there is a change in the increase; this increase is too drastic; so what about the those who are just making ends meet. Let us put our mouth where our money is and let Marpin hear the voice of the people.
@Valda Bruno – Durand: WHICH VALDA BRUNO IS THAT NA??? VALDA BRUNO THE ONE THAT LIVING IN BATHROOM ANSWER ME PLEASE?? BECAUSE TRUST ME I WANT TO START ON YOU
All of u are complaining that $20 is too much…run to Sat and then u all will find out what will happen….eventually SAT WILL HAVE TO INCREASE his price in order to provide quality viewing for all…..
@chemist: When I saw the name chemist i was expecting a little titration between SAT & marpin and get a new company coming forward. Not the same old argument eveyone’s making.
marpin just loss a few electrons from it’s outer most shell. I hope SAT can harness these free floating electrons and for a more potent SAT. Matter is neither created nor destroyed.Sat’s gonna be the new kid on the block.
@The wise: You do not come across as your chosen blog name. yes prices are increasing steadily so true.What of our salaries do they keep stride? No ,I presume your answer will be/is so your argument does not hold.Yes Flat screen TV etc etc so what? What of the average D/can?
Next you spoke of Marpin being the best.In the East during my school days I was taught, for there tobe best there must be at least 3 as two/2 is the comparative tense. Stop supporting foreign take over of what Ron Abraham created. I guess you are in support of the Gov’t’s approval of consessions to Chinese over D/cans also.
You are one of those idiots who see self as envaguard and ignorant as………..what i will differ from stating.It’s inviduals like you who stand for nothingallowing D/ca to be raped right before your very eyes and remain mute but has the gull to spill bubbles on simpleton issues as to support marpin over SAT.
Yours from the East.
SAT is now $46.00 so change your cable provider.SAT should connect everyone leaving Marpin for Free.
Dominicans too cheap…Prices rise everyday due to inflation and expenses the company experiences…a move towards digital is definitely needed as flat screen tvs are becoming more and more popular in Dominica…Even with the service they already provide Marpin can higher the price of cable but SAT better not try that…Their service is horrible…If consider yourself someone who wants to watch quality tv, marpin is the best Dominica have to offer, at this time. If not tune your radios…
Words from the wise
too much at one time without any improvement in the service,dominicans you have a choice make it,
@BELZBOB
It is called planning and future projections, not jumping on the people’s backs all at once plus we talking about quality. So you telling me if whitchurch want to buy a new fridge they have to raise milk and sugar prices, so if marpin do not raise by 20.00 they will sink? then so be it if thats the case it means that the company has been badly managed. I would hate to see fellow Dominicans out of work. Anyway is Dish Network i have but i know 85c Bath Road will have SAT. Admit it the price hike @20.00 IS TOO MUCH AT ONCE. They could have spread it over a period of three years or so.
@Whatever:Sorry, meant for Mrs. VB
@BELZBOB: Some of us really need to stop thinking that eeevry body is interested in what weee have to say because it is sooo right. Gimme a break.
@LoL:
@LoL:
I would expect that they most likely will, however, with out a lot of the channels that the other company provides, I think some people are going to learn what VALUE FOR DOLLAR means.
@Valda Bruno – Durand:
We have to ask ourselves, are HBO and Cinemax, Stars and The Movie Channel offering a gradual increase of their packages, or did they increase very suddenly as well. We also have to ask that since the entire rest of the world is going into digital broadcasting, can Marpin 2K4 continue with analog equipment, or should they go digital as well and then we’ll have to ask how is the company going to remain viable and be able to pay workers if they do not raise the price. Wow, guess we have to ask a few more things before we make up our minds.
I strongly don’t believe in allowing the government to step in and regulate the private sector. We have to learn to think of the outcome of something before we request what we think is the solution.
i do believe that it is about time that the rates would have gone up in Dominica for what we call a “basic” television package. If we have to compare the rates we pay for the number and types of channels we get, then we’re paying next to nothing. It is going to hurt my pocket just like everyone else, however, when a necessary change has to be made, I’m not going to oppose to it just because I don’t want to pay some extra money. Especially since we’ve been getting away with all these channels for so long.
What I will insist on though, is that Marpin 2K4 deliver much better quality service than they have since they took over and definitely from their predecessor. No more of what we commonly call “rice” on the screen. Cut down on the frequent loss of channels. Improved customer support and more local initiative.
This Land needs Jesus.
Although it is the only way we will be able to see local programming, I am not certain that there is going to be an increase in that. Also I find the twenty a little steep at once, but then again we have to pay for good service so we can keep some of our brohers and sisters emlployed.
@ whatever,
give me a break here are you even listening to yourself, then he can pack his bag and leave so what happen we must just take everything people throw at us no body saying marpin cannot increase but not by 20.00 and immediately, the increase could have come over a period of time gradually and add up to the 20.00 anyway is a good thing it have SAT and right there on Bath Road, woop woop come and hook me up eh, and people can go all shows they want in their damn money, investors my foot they more coming and voler from people STUPES.
I hope sat do not take any of marpin customer lol lol lol
Isn’t marpin2k4 a private company?? If this is the case then, they are not obligated to discuss with the government about a price increase!!
marpin they are playin the mass
They not even sayin 60 dollars. Next level lol .i wonder if they increasing de workers salary like dat to and treating dem right . is now ppl will go to SAT eh watch out marpin .
These comments are SICK! What is wrong with you people?
You all don’t want to pay for anything except a show featuring a reggae artist every weekend? Puhleeze.
The owner of Marpin really does not have to be here taking Dca crap you know.. we must change this attitude of ours. No investor as a matter of fact. Yet we can’t figure out why investors aren’t coming here. It is always convenient to blame the government (DLP, UWP, DFP) for everything and not ourselves. You only lie on your bed how you make it.
Its amazing that the bill is going to rise by $20, i wander if they are going to add any other channels for such a large increase…… SAT here i come.
i have to agreed with the American Boss at Marpin that guy is clever he can clearly see that the island has alot of monies…think of it if you so poor and your govt is so brilliant how come you can be going ahead to redo a state house for ecd27millions come on….marpin techincally is right jack the price up as it shows dominicans arent that clever in their day to day runnings at all
And the interesting things is that in dominica all the surporters of this govt hard core ones can even whisper to skero and tell the bloke hold back on that excessive amount for the state house, everything his says is spot on and right…so why complain about the raise..
its time dominicans think properly ask the real questions stop being doe doe all the time..
hold your admin responsible for those actions,look at the US even Dem ask obama hard questions
well i shouldnt go so far as the political maturity is way ahead than down in the island…
thats why the spin docs of this govt should be held up for allowing those wrong decisions in Dominica….
Marpin raise the rates i say because this admin is boasting how things are so good down here,,what did they say…hmm not sure about what,who and povetry down..so do th right thing marpin raise it….seems their is a false cry if things are good as the govt says why do they ppl complain…..i think we came from the most brilliant tribe in AFrica!
marpin and d government too voleh
NEXT LEVEL WOO WOO
they claiming skerrit want to follow chavez and castro, but asking the govt to control or regulate the prices in the privtae sector is encouraging socialist behavior. either we want to live in a free market economy or we go socalist.