TRC updating licensing terms as telecoms providers seek renewal
As the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) reviews applications from local telecoms providers seeking to renew their license to operate in the BVI, the Commission has announced that it will make several amendments to the terms and conditions of its licensing agreement.
The TRC said in a statement dated December 30 that the renewal of any telecoms licence will be based on new terms and conditions that reasonably reflect the changed circumstances of the telecommunications sector in the Virgin Islands.
For instance, a telecoms provider’s licence is typically valid for 15 years but the Commission is proposing to add a provision that allows for a five-year review of the licence and compliance with respective obligations.
The terms and conditions will also be amended to ensure that licensees administer their business from local premises, provide the licensed services, notify the Commission of proposed mergers.
“Obsolete provisions like the requirement to install and maintain a public payphone and the obligation to produce a printed directory are being removed from the licence. Overall, the proposed amendments to the Unitary Licences have been guided by the changes in the circumstances of the telecommunications services industry in the British Virgin Islands,” the statement said.
The TRC said the existing Unitary Licences that are now up for renewal were first issued in 2007 when the telecoms sector in the Virgin Islands was moving from a monopoly environment to a more diverse and competitive market.
“Voice telephony services, both fixed and mobile, were the most critical services for consumers and much of the regulations in the Licences reflect that status. Notwithstanding this, the Licenses were modified from time to time since 2007, yet the basic terms remained unchanged,” the statement read.
Needs of consumers have changed
However, the regulatory body noted the needs of consumers since 2007 have shifted. Therefore, the type of service provided should be befitting of the current circumstances, it argued.
According to TRC, the most critical services are now broadband internet access services.
“The incidences of extreme weather events have increased – a trend, which is expected to continue and, as such, network resilience and the ability to recover from damage caused by those events is expected to be paramount. In an increasingly connected and inter-connected world, the need for protection of privacy, data protection, and cyber security has also grown in importance,” TRC added.
The Commission will also give the applicants and any third party with a legitimate interest, not less than 30 days to comment on or object to the proposed directive. These comments must be filed to the TRC before February 14, 2022.
There will also be a hearing on March 1 by the regulator at Maria’s by the Sea where applicants and qualified third parties can also voice their comments. However, participation in the hearing will be limited to those who submitted the relevant comments and objections before February 14.
What the Premier said
In April of this year, Premier Andrew Fahie had announced that the regulatory body is being proactive and negotiating licenses that will expire in 2022. The Premier said the main criteria in the negotiations were reliable, affordable, and accessible telecommunications which are critical for doing business in the digital age.
Fahie noted it was imperative telecoms providers could provide this service as the government has and will continue to make investments into helping the Virgin Islands become one of the top digital economies in the world.
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I am using CCT TV presently. Its a disaster. I cant watch a 30 minutes movie without it shutting off by itself. Just go blank and spins. The only reason why im still with them is because im very pls with their internet…I also have an internet box hooked up to another TV that works very well. So I kno the CCT has an issue..Dont know how long I can go along paying and ain getting the required service. I reported it once before…
That’s not the problem at all. The chairman of the TRC needs to be investigated and has to resign. When other islands get better service at a cheaper rate and we have one of the most expensive packages and he allows it, we need to look at the alleged under table envelopes
While I understand the service can be provided at a cheaper cost I also understand business. Being in a small market as the BVI with only a population of about 30,000 with thousands of people not being a consumer due to various factors then divide that by 3 and having to pay staff and invest in technology somebody will end up being shafted. The same provider can offer a cheaper product elsewhere when their consumer base is more than 5 times the population of the BVI that’s why Digicel and others can be cheaper in places like Jamaica and Guyana.
Go over to flow
Why would any on them get a new licence when none of them are providing. Where is the controls? The fines? The oversight to hold them to minimum standards. Do not issue licences without guarantees. Hold them to it. 6 month probation and then yearly renewals. Do a job TRC. Service is beyond pathetic.
How about if you get 1/4 bandwidth advertised you get 75% of your money back, plus and apology plus a compensation payment.
No more licences for no service!!! Do you jobs!!
The whole system, the TRC and the providers, from top to bottom needs to scraped, reevaluated, reconfigured, reassembled with the aim of providing better and AFFORDABLE COST to the BVI consumer.
Bcause, at the moment, the service and product are woefully inferior, and the cost is exorbitant. One big rip off it is. Greed has replaced shame and conscience in the business world.
Wow – worst service, highest costs and (allegedly) none of them paying their dues, but hey – lets scrap the requirement to print a phone book and provide a payphone because that will give BVIslanders what they deserve for the money.
you said it all ? my Question is what are they going to do with all that ? / for sure it’s not going in their coffin with them ?
For years the TRC did nothing to regulate properly or protect consumers. They even forgot to collect millions of dollars from the service providers according to the old contracts. Most, if not all of the Board and management should have been fired for negligence, ineptitude and possible corruption. Now, there’s a new Compliance Officer at the TRC who is telling them all what they should have been doing all along. At last! Someone who reads the regulations and applies them. Thank you, and more power to you. There’s a long way to go to reduce costs and improve service, but perhaps we now will go in the right direction.
Fear not, the end of days for these robber barons is fast approaching. Starlink the satellite based internet service from Elon Musks company is coming to BVI in 2022. Neither the government or its communication company poodles can control that or do anything about it. (Try to ban the ground equipment Fahie and you will be committing political suicide.)
Installations in the UK are getting 250 million bits per second for £70 per month. BVI we expect to get the same for around $99 per month.
Satellite internet, can’t wait!!
Dah guy is a waste ah time
when some people achieve certain positions in society their ? slips into a predator’s mode and it’s manipulation/ exploitation time for a few dollars more etc
WHAT ABOUT MAKE IT POSSIBLE, THAT IF I WANT TO LEAVE ONE PROVIDER FOR ANOTHER, I CAN KEEP MY NUMBER.
Where the ocean lier politician who claimed better, faster service on th campaign trail. He think that we forget, we waiting on you next go round!!