Shooting more holes on a sinking ship

In an article regarding MPLA’s “demands” for payment from Verizon, and it’s “threats,” I am quite surprised this was never really pushed many years back when the telecom was first established (pre-vzpacifica). Or, maybe this has been a long running issue, but just never to this extreme. I would have to look back to those old newspapers and search for something similar to this. But I doubt any existing article resorted to threats of this nature.

Maybe things are being blown out of proportion and the possibilities of telecom service disruptions is probably just a ploy to gain sympathy from the public and businesses, including government agencies, so they would rally to the side of PTI. But then that would mean everyone in the CNMI would have rationale to question MPLA’s sudden actions. I’m confident we have that rationale. Does MPLA have plans for such a scenario? Imagine that!

If for some bizarre reason PTI verizon suddenly pack up and go because they really can’t pay what many of the previous telecom companies never paid for, that would probably mean they would need to base themselves somewhere else…obvious no? Would MPLA then have the means to provide onsite services for our communication needs? Or maybe this would not even be necessary because, we really wouldn’t have any telephone lines at all! Excellent planning, MPLA. I finally see where you are coming from. I’ve already started practicing smoke signals (there is actually a book on that which I got on Amazon.com). There is irony in this, but it may take a while for me to find out what it is.

MPLA probably has their own exclusive telecom system that is outside the now PTI-owned telecom facilities (including underground cables and whatnot). They probably have their own staff to maintain their own communications network. If so, I can see why MPLA is very adamant about what is owed them.

It seems apparent that MPLA has taken a break from the CNMI’s economic conditions. The demand for this payment on the lease is probably MPLA’s approach to replenishing the CNMI’s economy. Hey, you never know! On a perspective, this could be a whole new approach to giving back to the island. Let’s invite an investor over so we can say, “Par, you owe me money for the last investor who came here.” JAL is gone. MPLA is probably aware of this but it’s not on its agenda.

Consider that one of the major investors of the CNMI and major contributor to the NMI tourism industry has taken its last flight here. Now, take a step back and notice that PTI has stepped in, in a time where we seriously need to keep businesses here. Are you looking? Now in light of all this, garment manufacturers are jumping ship as well. We are on a sinking ship and yet MPLA seems to be adding holes to an already compromised hull that is our island economy. PTI seems willing to re-negotiate with MPLA. Amazing that even with PTI well aware of the NMI’s situation, they are still trying. I’m pretty sure PTI has invested much in the CNMI already, but with unreasonable demands made by MPLA, this requires fortitude that surpasses even JAL’s tolerances. So consider where you are, MPLA. Re-evaluate your stance. If it still doesn’t seem reasonable, you could email a reply to me at capsteban@yahoo.com and justify your claims. After you have done so, ask yourselves: Could you have been able to email me like this if PTI or any telecom was given no chance of a reasonable settlement or compromise? In other views: If PTI were to go with your demands, just like CUC surcharges, it would be the community that would be affected. Internet broadband is already more expensive than almost all other Internet-enabled countries.

Caprice Esteban
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