PDM’s POSITION ON INDEPENDENCE
PREAMBLE
The People’s Democratic Movement values our GOD given unalienable right to chart our own destiny as a people and determine for ourselves the form of Government that we should be governed by. Our founders have enshrined in our party’s constitution THE MANDATE to protect this right as is stated in two main objectives of our party, “ b)to maintain the political freedom of the Turks and Caicos Islands and strive for the economic independence of her people: and k) to promote, nationally and internationally, the concept of human rights, self determination and majority rule for all the peoples of the world”.
To this end we submit to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands the position of the People’s Democratic Movement on Independence.
BACKGROUND and HISTORY
The PDM has always had self-determination as an objective in our Party’s constitution. In our first term in office 1976-1980 the Party agitated for and promoted a larger degree of self-determination for the Turks and Caicos Islands. As a democratic society we are committed to the promotion of this ideal through education and having an engaged and informed population that would make the decision on self-determination through a country wide referendum.
Regrettably, part of our history includes constitutional regression brought about principally by our political opponents’ actions while in office. The people of the Turks and Caicos Islands have paid dearly for their actions in every instance. First, in 1986 through the loss of our right to determine and direct the advancement of the financial services industry and secondly through the imposition of direct rule and the loss of our very advanced constitution instituted by our party in 2002 through the Constitutional Commission.
OUR POSITION
1. Decision by every voter
The right to determine what form of self determination our country takes in the future is a right that must be made by every voter. The heavy importance that this decision will mean for the country and by extension the day to day life of every man, woman and child and the institutions they make up cannot be over emphasised. It is fundamental that any decision involving a move to Independence, Integration or Free Association, as outlined by the UN as acceptable means of self determination, be taken with clarity after a period of political calm and while an elected Government can craft the terms of reference for a process that would not violate the individual rights of every person who will be affected by the outcome of such a question being put. In any case we support the Bermuda model to conduct such a process.
2. Education about self determination
People must be aware of their responsibilities and the benefits of independence, and the financial and opportunity costs of taking that informed and un-emotive step towards self-determination. People need to be aware of the threats and opportunities that go hand in hand with the status.
In light of the serious but important nature of this issue, we would seek to Commission a study on self-determination during our first term and engage the population on the issue.
3. Democratically elected Government must spearhead the process.
4. Appoint a Commission once elected
In preparing the people to consider self-determination/ independence there is a need to commission a study to identify the prerequisites for self-determination and keeping the public engaged every step of the way.
5. PDM''s list of prerequisites(what we need to be prepared or National Achievements)
We would seek to identify those important markers that must be achieved with regards to the level of awareness by the population even before there is a call for a referendum. These prerequisites to the referendum are listed so that they can be check marked as they are achieved.
- External Affairs – The handling of Government relationships internationally, negotiation of trade agreements, security, memberships to international organizations i.e. United Nations, E.U., OCT’s
- Internal Affairs – internal security is currently handled by the RTCIP, the need for a Defence Force or some other military agency must be reviewed?
- Citizenship and Visa Matters – Critical questions must be answered like, who would automatically become citizens of an independent TCI. Will we allow dual citizenships etc.. An independent TCI would have to negotiate with other countries individually and as a group in some cases to relax and/or maintain current visa requirements.
- Defence – Currently the TCI as a British Overseas Territory is protected through the UK’s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). On becoming independent the TCI would be responsible for its own defence.
- The Economy and Commerce – Decisions about the economy cannot be based on emotions; this requires a total exploration of our current economic situation along with future plans. The TCI has previously enjoyed a high standard of living; a decision for independence must ensure that this standard is maintained and/or improved.
- Tourism – When exploring the concept of independence, other countries have found that most tourists are unaware of, nor interested in their current constitutional position. However, a country’s stability and security is known to out-weight the amount of sand and sea it has to offer.
- International Business – Currently this is the most likely means of diversifying our economy, as the second pillar after tourism.
- The role of TCI’s Monetary Authority (would this be the FSC or a new body would need to be created?) – The US dollar etc...
- Aviation – Currently the TCI is governed by the U.K.’s treaties with other sovereign states, an independent TCI will have to become a contracting party to the Chicago and Montreal Conventions, that regulates international aviation and that deals with the liability of air carriers to passengers and shippers respectively.
- Treaties – An independent TCI would have to form treaties, bilateral and multilateral with organizations such as:
- International Monetary Fund - IMF,
- The World Bank Group
- The Caribbean Community - CARICOM,
- Caribbean Development Bank - CDB,
- Inter-American Development Bank - IDB
- World Trade Organization - WTO,
- Free Trade Area of the Americas - FTAA,
- Association of Caribbean States - ACS,
- Organization of American States - OAS,
- European Union-African Caribbean Pacific Group of States - EU-ACP
- The Judiciary - Court of Appeal, a decision to continue with the Privy Council, or become a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice, the CCJ.
6. The need for Political and Social stability
Presently, the need to have a restoration of confidence and stability in government cannot be over emphasized. It has been cited as one of the most important areas that international businesses look at when making a decision to do business in a country.
7. Independence tied to a General Election is not acceptable; a Referendum is necessary
As important as determining what is the settled will of an informed and engaged population on the matter of independence, we lack the mechanism to call for a referendum. It is imperative for us to therefore push for constitutional advancement with that provision enshrined to enable to call for a referendum. We feel that only a democratically elected government has the moral right to call for a referendum by the population.
We hold the view that political parties ought NOT to run an election on the issue of independence because it does not leave the voter with a choice. A voter may wish to support their party but hold a different view with regards to independence. General elections ought to be about choosing a government, not deciding on independence. This issue must be treated as a separate matter.
9. Constitutional Advancement
To this end, we re- confirm our view that constitutional advancement immediately after general elections to set the stage for the pre-requisites for a move to self determination is still our best hope in the short term. In simply terms we must move to get back a return to internal self government before we embark upon a program of independence.
Excerpts of an ADDRESS TO THE TCHTA Delivered By The Hon Leader of the Opposition
Excerpts of an ADDRESS TO THE TCHTA
Delivered By The Hon Leader of the Opposition
What a pleasure to briefly address you this afternoon.
I promise you that I will be keep my comments brief but pointed.
Congratulations to the newly elected Executive Body and also on the hosting of your Annual Star Awards which I believe can only enhance the Industry. I have been asked by a number of you as to my non -attendance. I was unfortunately unaware of the Event but believe that it is an Event worth supporting.
I need not tell you how important Tourism is to our economy, nor how it will perhaps remain the largest Industry for the forseeable future, nor consequently how critical that makes you the direct players in this Industry. You are all aware of this. I would say to you that I appreciate what you do and especially on those days when you perhaps want to knock out a guest but remember in critical time, the possible implications. The life of persons in the Tourism Industry is faced with many challenges but we seem to be doing well but much more can be done on all fronts.
I am hoping to be a part of a great message/sustainable educational campaign to all residents directly or non - directly working in the Industry to ensure that they understand that we are all a part of the Industry as Tourists interact with all peoples from all walks of life.
I recently began a Tour of the resorts in an effort to better understand your challenges and so that we can familiarize ourselves with each other. I have met with most of you in this room and am on my way to the remaining in short order. Some people think I am too direct but I think it is always in our best interest if you understand my position at the outset.
Tourism as it is the life line of economy, it stands that there is an expectation that residents will benefit from jobs and businesses in the Industry. It is also important that businesses are not unnecessarily challenged in carrying out its operation. I acknowledge that much can be done to assist business men and women in dealing with the public sector particularly in the area of the application process for work permits. With the size of our population and the level of skill in many areas, it is expected that there will be a need for foreign labour but our challenge then is how do we ensure that we understand each other.
Challenges
I see the challenges faced by this Industry as threats to us all and I have already committed to addressing them and supporting efforts where I can.
1. Crime remains a growing concern and though the rate remains low for TCI, the crimes affecting some of our tourists have been violent . These few but seriously impacting incidences are rather unfortunate and every effort must be made to ensure that victims are treated “as gold”. There must be a better handling of these matters by our Police Department and I have suggested a Tourism Laison Department with Officers who are directly responsible for follow up and for the provision of information to victims.
We can and must do more to ensure that our tourists are safe and that they become repeat visitors and not unhappy and negative advertisements for TCI.
2. Another challenge relates to the cleanliness of the Island. In short order I will present a complete sustainable education program to the Government for support. The national “spic and span” Program will encourage clean ups but goes beyond that, it will educate from the school children up and will also fine and enforce laws for littering, un-kept yards and creating other unsightly mess. My Party has begun clean ups and are participating in clean ups in an effort to promote healthy living and to address the concerns we receive from many tourists and residents alike.
This is critical and your support in a full and ongoing promotion will also be solicited.
3. Training and Service Standards is a concern I am sure. Trained workers is a challenge that must be worked on between the Government and the Industry. There must be a plan for sustaining and keeping the best in the Industry and for motivating staff. I applaud some of the resort’s individual efforts to recognize their workers. This will and has gone a long way with many.
4. The country is again undergoing a review of the Immigration Laws. Hopefully we can address the problems we know exist and put the necessary laws and procedures in place.
5. The loss of the New York flight has also caused some concern and I understand that there may a chance of regaining it or new routes.
6. Lack of attractions is also a challenge for many but this requires a detailed survey of what our brand tourist wants and this is not a venture that we should embark on blindly without the market’s guidance.
7. The quality of transportation is also a rising challenge that can be easily addressed with strong partnerships. I have had the privilege of being able to address many Taxi drivers who understand their vital role in the industry and who I see as important as any player but it is for a deliberate effort amongst all players to determine to enjoy better working relationships.
8. Food safety and concerns will remain an ongoing challenge with heightened sensors. Training is tied to this as well and there must be ongoing training in these areas. When we can prevent, we must do everything within our powers to. We have suffered great loss over the closure of the Cruise Ship Port a few months back and approximately 65k tourists were detoured elsewhere. Our coffers can not afford a repeat of these experiences. It is therefore a responsibility that Resorts and Government regulatory arms must take seriously.
9. Last but not least is the challenge of seasonality. I believe with a strong commitment and a serious attempt to court new markets, we can lessen the impact of the slow periods.
But amidst the myriad of challenges, there is bright hope for the Industry. There is nothing that I have identified that with a greater effort cannot be met with some measure of success. I am pleased to say that the Opposition has made representation on all of these areas and will continue to support efforts to grow and sustain this sector and to ensure excellence in standards in service and guest experience.
I have suggested as some of you have told me that a Chicago flight can also work well for the Islands and a real approach to the South American market especially Brazil. Whilst you are competitors, we must still appreciate there will be much more in common than what divided you and collectively so much more can be achieved if you present a united front and positions on matters that affects you.
I am also hopeful that there will be a real effort to review our product and that monies will be expended in this crucial area. No Government can never spend as much as we need on product development and marketing but there must be a much more serious financial commitment than what we have seen recently and much more prudent spending on areas that really matters than what we had seen before. Much greater effort to use the media and social media included to market. TCI has to find its niche and its unique product. I am not convinced that beaches will carry us for as long as we would like. They will always be a major attraction but there are persons who want to feel the true TCI culture who leaves not satisfied and we must remember that market.
I believe that there is a ready market that pulls into the Dock in Grand Turk each week and not enough is being done to woo these guests to become land tourists. Last week I visited the Port and interacted with a few tourists who had no knowledge of where they were but had a lot of questions. One has already contacted a law firm for purchase of land and have actively searched for information on Hotels in Provo for next year.
There is promise if there is greater cooperation between all partners from the street to the main Industry players to the Government.
I would like to see, each Tourist as they leave asked on a survey of their experience and this information shared and garnered to create a product they wish to see.
I would like to see more of the skilled hotel workers reaching into our schools and sharing their skills but also in an effort to bring them into the Industry. Chefs can help in a Foods Class. That will be appreciated.
Any support rendered for youth programs lessens the chance for tourists to become victims to crimes.
Any support for training enhances the Industry and makes the guests experience more memorable and pleasant.
We must all coexist in this environment and it can only get better if we recognize that the end objective for all players is the same. There must be a greater effort to cooperate.
In the last meeting of the House, my colleagues and I were successful in having a Motion passed for a National Symposium. This forum will bring together the Government and Opposition and Public and Private Sector to discuss the path forward on big ticket items. I look forward to the Think Tank on Tourism but I encourage you to work as much as possible as a Unit and be proactive for the benefit of this Industry. Our country is truly in your hands.
Thank you.
$100m upgrade for LIAT
LIAT, with the partial backing of some Caribbean governments, is enhancing and transforming its fleet, with 12 new aircrafts over the next two years that will cost investors US$100 million.
Earlier today, the regional airline paraded the first of the new fleet, the ATR 72, a 68-seat passenger plane, that arrived from St Vincent after stops in Antigua and Dominica, following the original lift of in in Toulouse, France.
Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy, who was at the Grantley Adams International Airport when the plane arrived at 1:25 p.m. to a spectacular water salute, said it was up to LIAT now to deliver.
Chairman of LIAT, Jean Holder, acknowledged that LIAT has to raise the bar in every way.
NFL's Aaron Hernandez charged with murder
An American football star has been charged with murder after a fellow player was found dead last week in a Massachusetts industrial park.
Aaron Hernandez, 23, was taken in handcuffs from his home south of Boston in connection with the death of Odin Lloyd, 27, a semi-professional player.
Mr Hernandez was dropped from his team, the New England Patriots, after Wednesday morning's arrest.
The National Football League called the arrest "deeply troubling".
The league has struggled to improve its image after a string of cases involving dog fighting, gambling and homicide, among other criminal charges.
Mr Hernandez was also charged with several firearms violations. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
'Just so you know'
Prosecutors say Lloyd was shot multiple times and that the former Patriots tight end had a dispute with him a few days before.
The dead man's family say he and Mr Hernandez were friends, and that Lloyd's girlfriend and Mr Hernandez's fiancee are sisters.
Prosecutor Bill McCauley said surveillance footage from Mr Hernandez's home showed him leaving earlier on the night of the killing with a gun.
According to authorities, Mr Hernandez and two friends picked up Lloyd at home at 02:30 local time (06:30 GMT) on 17 June. Mr Hernandez told Lloyd he was upset about an event at a nightclub days before.
Lloyd texted his sister about an hour later, according to prosecutors.
"Did you see who I am with,'' he wrote. He sister asked whom, and he later replied "NFL" and "Just so you know".
Minutes later, workers at the industrial park reported hearing gunshots, Mr McCauley said.
Mr Hernandez's lawyer called the case "circumstantial" and "not a strong case", but a judge ordered him held without bail.
In a separate case, Mr Hernandez has been sued by a man who says the football player shot him in the face in February.
Alexander Bradley lost an eye in the shooting, but Florida police said they had dropped an investigation after Mr Bradley refused to co-operate.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Patriots said they would drop Mr Hernandez from the roster during the Massachusetts investigation.
"At this time, we believe this transaction is simply the right thing to do," the team said in a statement.
Mr Hernandez of Bristol, Connecticut, was drafted by the Patriots in 2010 after playing at the University of Florida. He played in the February 2012 Super Bowl, the NFL championship game. His contract was renewed last year in a five-year, $40m (£26m) deal.
He also signed an endorsement deal with footwear and apparel firm Puma in April.
A Puma spokeswoman declined to comment on Wednesday.
EU finance ministers reach draft deal on bank bailouts
European Union (EU) finance ministers have agreed an outline plan on how to rescue troubled banks - without leaving taxpayers to face the bill.
The deal was reached early on Thursday morning after another long session of talks between the 27 EU countries.
It is seen as an important step towards the EU's goal of putting its banks on safe ground after the shocks of the credit and eurozone crises.
The rules set out who should bear the losses when a bank gets into trouble.
In future taxpayers will be among the last to shoulder losses, with banks and their creditors and shareholders to take the first hits.
After that, ordinary savers with large deposits of more than 100,000 euros (£85,000) will be the next to take losses.
If that is not enough, then national governments will be called upon to give support.
Big shift
The Dutch Finance Minister, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, said the outline deal marked a big change from existing procedure: "That's a major shift from the public means, from the taxpayer if you will, back to the financial sector itself which will now become for a very, very large extent responsible for dealing with its own problems."
Later on Thursday the EU's 27 heads of government will hold a summit to look at the region's financial and economic policies.
Its focus will largely be on the problem on youth unemployment, which is at rampant levels of above 50% in the worst-hit EU countries.
Agreement on how to treat damaged banks had been difficult to strike because rich countries feared a guarantee from them would leave little incentive for poorer countries' banks to behave prudently.
Wolfgang Schaeuble, the finance minister from the eurozone's richest country, Germany, said after the meeting: ``The talks were lengthy, quite difficult and intense," but described the conclusion as an "important step".
The next step is for EU governments to negotiate over the legislation with the European Parliament.
Italy to spend 1.5bn euros to boost youth employment
Italy's government has announced it will spend 1.5bn euros ($2bn; £1.2bn) to try to boost youth employment.
The funds include tax breaks for companies that hire people aged 18-29, and will target the country's deprived southern areas.
Two in five young Italians are out of a job, while the national unemployment rate is about 12%.
The measures were unveiled on the eve of a European Union summit in Brussels on youth joblessness.
Prime Minister Enrico Letta said that the money aimed to get at least 200,000 young Italians into the workforce by aiding those with temporary contracts as well as boosting training and school-leaver schemes.
In addition to the measures to boost youth employment, the Italian government also said it would delay a planned rise in value-added-tax (VAT), which will cost it an additional 1bn euros.
Mr Letta's predecessor, Mario Monti, had announced the VAT increase in 2011 in an attempt to improve investor confidence in the government's capability to repay its debts.
The proposed VAT freeze must be approved by parliament first.
"These are all measures that will help consumer spending in the short term... and a bridge to economic recovery," said Economy Minister Fabrizio Saccomanni, adding that Italy was "fully committed" to keeping the government deficit below 3% of GDP this year, as required under EU rules.
Italy's economy shrank by a worse-than-expected 0.6% in the first quarter of this year.
Across Europe, 5.6 million young people are out of work, with a jobless rate of 23%. In Greece and Spain, the rate of youth unemployment is around 50%.
UBS France fined 10m euros amid tax evasion probe
The French unit of UBS has been fined 10m euros (£8.5m; $13m) by regulators for failing to tighten proper controls on money-laundering and tax evasion.
UBS and its French branch are being formally investigated for allegedly helping wealthy clients open undeclared bank accounts in Switzerland.
The bank rejected the "contentious nature" of the decision and said it was considering lodging an appeal.
Regulators said the measures taken by UBS had been "lax".
UBS and UBS France earlier this month were placed under formal investigation over suspected "complicity in illegal sales practices". Investigators are examining whether UBS staff broke a French law against "illicit solicitation" by actively approaching potential clients in France.
'Trans-border activity'
Paris prosecutors, who are leading the investigations, are also looking into whether UBS set up a shadow accounting system that masked transfers between French and Swiss bank accounts.
The ACP, the Bank of France's regulatory arm, on Wednesday said that the bank had waited more than 18 months after receiving final warnings in 2007 by authorities to "rectify trans-border activity" amid "serious" suspicions of tax evasion and illegal sales practices.
It also said that the bank had failed to prevent UBS headquarters from authorising staff to transmit lists of prospective clients interested in opening undeclared overseas accounts.
A statement by UBS said: "We disagree with many of the disciplinary commission's conclusions. UBS will further analyze the decision by the commission and will consider whether to appeal at the appropriate time."
"UBS does not tolerate any activities intended to help its clients circumvent their tax obligations."
The allegations against UBS originally came to light after former staff blew the whistle on the practices that involved hundreds of retail and corporate clients.
An anonymous letter was reportedly sent to ACP suggesting that parallel accounts were opened in Switzerland but undeclared in France, which is illegal under French law.
The letter said a special record was kept between 2002-2007 listing undeclared bank accounts that had been opened by corporate clients.
'Disciplinary action'
Former staff also alleged that UBS bankers regularly mingled with affluent people at sporting events and musical concerts - including some sponsored by UBS - in order to seek out possible clients for tax evasion.
The magistrates investigating the affair have sent a list containing the names of 353 people suspected of having held a Swiss account to Swiss authorities and have requested details.
Under French law, being placed under official investigation means there is "serious or consistent" evidence to implicate a suspect in a crime. But it does not necessarily lead to a trial.
UBS said: "This is an issue from the past and we are pleased to note that the disciplinary commission acknowledges in its report that UBS France has taken appropriate steps to strengthen its compliance framework since 2009."
"UBS France has operated under a new leadership since 2012 and has continuously strengthened its rules and processes. UBS France has the fullest support of its parent company."
EU summit in Brussels wrestles with youth unemployment
The record unemployment blighting much of Europe will be the focus of attention at a two-day EU summit set to open in Brussels.
Across the EU, nearly a quarter of people aged 18 to 25 have no job. In Greece and Spain more than half of people in that age group are jobless.
EU leaders will consider mobilising 6bn euros (£5bn; $8bn) earlier than planned to help youth training schemes.
There are also plans to boost bank lending to small businesses.
A source at the European Commission said an extra 10bn euros in funding for the European Investment Bank (EIB) could be used to encourage private banks to lend more to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), especially in the struggling southern "periphery" economies hit hard by the euro crisis.
The idea is to turn that 10bn into EIB guarantees worth 100bn - enough to cover loans issued by private banks. The source stressed that "it is not new money" - it would come from the EU structural funds already earmarked for Europe's poorer regions.
The focus is on SMEs because they account for about 99% of businesses in the EU, employing about 70% of the workforce, the Commission said. Despite the SMEs' importance in EU labour markets, bank lending to them fell by 10% in the first quarter of this year.
But the source told journalists at a pre-summit briefing that co-ordinating action on jobs "is not easy at European level - social policy is mainly a national competence".
The Commission's Youth Guarantee plan would offer young people across Europe a quality apprenticeship or job in the first four months after becoming unemployed or leaving formal education.
The EU Commissioner for Employment, Laszlo Andor, says the scheme could help to reduce the growing north-south competitiveness gap in the EU.
But the heavy lifting of job creation still has to be done by national governments, by making labour markets more flexible, stimulating growth and easing the tax and administrative burdens on SMEs, the Commission admits.
John Springford, an economic analyst at the Centre for European Reform, said the EU was facing "very large political roadblocks" hampering the necessary macro-economic changes.
"They are stumbling towards integration very slowly - when the financial markets relax the pressure, the progress stalls," the think-tank analyst told BBC News.
Germany - one of Europe's few economic bright spots amid the gloom of the euro crisis - is especially loath to pool risk at European level ahead of its general election in September, Mr Springford said.
Germany is making any aid for struggling eurozone economies strictly conditional on them enacting structural reforms, such as making it easier for companies to hire and fire. But such reforms are generally slow to bear fruit.
The draft summit conclusions, seen by the BBC, say the leaders note "the importance of shifting taxation away from labour as a means of increasing employability and boosting job creation and competitiveness".
The leaders will also discuss progress towards a eurozone banking union, as their finance ministers continue tough negotiations on a planned joint bank resolution scheme to deal with troubled banks.
It is proving tricky to agree on how losses would be borne by the stakeholders in struggling banks - that is, the bondholders, investors and holders of deposits above 100,000 euros.
This year's Cyprus banking crisis, with the unprecedented imposition of capital controls, has made EU governments cautious about taking on additional financial risks.
There are still fears that a bank run in one country could spread contagion across a still fragile eurozone.
Source-BBC
LTE-Advanced 4G network launches in South Korea
South Korea has started offering what are billed as the fastest ever 4G data speeds made available to consumers.
SK Telecom says its LTE-Advanced network allows files to be downloaded at up to 150 megabits per second.
That is twice as fast as before and 10 times the rate of its 3G service.
Although in practice subscribers will get a slower rate, the firm says it will still be fast enough to start offering a full-HD 1080p video streaming service from early July.
It also said it would offer a group video chat service with higher video and audio quality than had been possible before.
Samsung has released a special version of its Galaxy S4 handset with a new communications chip to offer access to the LTE-A system, and SK Telecom says it expects another six compatible devices to launch before the end of the year.
Existing smart devices will not be able to take advantage of the speed boost, but users who do decide to upgrade will not face additional data fees.
The service is initially being offered in 44 cities including the capital Seoul, and SK Telecom said it had plans to double that number in the future.
In the UK most of EE's 4G network currently tops out at 75Mbps.
But the firm recently installed equipment in East London's Tech City business cluster to offer a service it calls "double-speed 4G", which it says can match SK Telecom's LTE-A network kit.
However, limitations with the handsets it offers means the maximum theoretical speed they could access would be 100Mbps.
While speedier downloads may prove enticing to customers, one analyst said that they were only part of the picture.
"I've never found someone who didn't want something faster," said Daryl Schoolar, an analyst at the telecoms consultant Ovum.
"But it's not just about speed - the issue of capacity is perhaps more important. These advances allow operators to use more spectrum which means they can handle more subscribers at once.
"The networks are like a highway - the more people who use them the more clogged they get. By adding the equivalent of more lanes operators ensure that subscriber speeds don't slow down as much at the busiest network times."
Police arrest 4 in DEA agent's slaying
Police in Colombia have arrested four people accused of killing a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent during an attempted robbery.
Colombia's National Police said the four suspects they arrested were part of a criminal network of thieves. Two additional suspects who were allegedly involved in the crime remain on the loose.
The United States will request extradition of the suspects, but it has not yet done so formally, a law enforcement official said.
U.S. officials have extradited and prosecuted suspects accused of killing U.S. federal agents in the past.
Special Agent James "Terry" Watson, assigned to the DEA unit in Cartagena, was on temporary duty in Bogota when he died after being stabbed in a taxi cab last Thursday night, officials said.
Authorities have said they do not believe the attack was connected to his work for the U.S. agency.
"The homicide of the DEA agent was committed by common criminals and was not connected to his work in Colombia," National Police Director Gen. Jose Roberto Leon Riano said, according to Caracol.
U.S. officials praised Colombian authorities Tuesday for their swift investigation.
"The Drug Enforcement Administration is grateful for the outstanding work of the Colombian National Police, the Special Investigative Unit and the Attorney General's Office that led to the swift arrest of these suspects," DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart said in a written statement. "We will never forget Special Agent Watson and his sacrifice, as well as all those who have given their lives for the rule of law. We salute the brave and expeditious work of Colombian law enforcement and we look forward to justice being served."
Watson, 42, had been watching the last game of the NBA finals at a Bogota restaurant Thursday night and left in a taxi, a State Department spokesman said last week.
Investigators believe Watson's cab stopped at a traffic light and his assailants jumped out of two other cabs, which pulled up on either side of the vehicle in which he was riding, a law enforcement official said.
According to the official, Watson managed to escape from the cab and was taken to a hospital, where he died.
In Colombia, such attacks are known as "millionaire rides." Authorities said the suspects they arrested were part of a gang known for millionaire ride robberies.
The DEA said Watson was a 13-year veteran of the agency. He had been sent to Afghanistan three times on counternarcotics trafficking assignments and had previously served in the Army and worked for the U.S. Marshals Service. Attorney General Eric Holder is scheduled to speak at a funeral service for Watson in Louisiana on Wednesday.
Source-CNN