The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) requires that you first obtain a Special Event Licence, when radio frequency spectrum is utilized in the broadcast of events such as Concerts, Sporting Events, Carnival Shows, Fetes and Parade of Carnival Bands.
These licences are generally the following type:
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VSAT Telecommunications Station Licence |
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Commercial TVRO Station Licence |
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Low Powered FM Radio Broadcast Station Licence |
The steps involved for applying for any of the above Licences for special events are as follows:
| 1. |
To apply for a Licence the applicant is to submit the following: |
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a) a signed and completed L1 application form |
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b) the signed and completed relevant Technical Specification Forms |
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i) VSAT Telecommunications Station Licence – TS-SS form |
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ii) Commercial TVRO Station Licence – TS-SS form |
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iii) Low Powered FM Radio Broadcast Station Licence – TS-BS form |
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c) the associated application fee: |
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i) VSAT Telecommunications Station Licence – TTD 500.00 |
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ii) Commercial TVRO Station Licence – TTD 700.00 |
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iii) Low Powered FM Radio Broadcast Station Licence – TTD 200.00 |
| 2. |
The Authority collects both the application fee and the relevant licence fee upon submission of the application. The associated application fee and rate used to calculate the license fee can be found in the Telecommunications (Fees) Regulations. |
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Sample calculations were done for customers to understand how the licence fee is determined and can be found below. |
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It should be noted that applicants are required to submit applications for Special Event Licences at least one month in advance of the event. Submitting after this may attract a late fee. |
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NOTE: Applications for Special Events Licences (including VSAT Systems), should be submitted to TATT no later than thirty (30) days prior to the event.
Please take note that the requirements for a licence are governed by Section 36(1) of the Telecommunications Act Chap. 47:31, which states inter alia:
“Subject to subsection (2) no person shall – (a) establish, operate or use a radiocommunication service; (b) install, operate or use any radiotransmitting equipment; or (c) establish, operate or use any radiocommunication service on board any ship, aircraft, or other vessel in the territorial waters or territorial airspace of Trinidad and Tobago, other than a ship of war or a military aircraft or satellite registered in Trinidad and Tobago, without a licence granted by the Authority.”
Action will be taken by TATT in accordance with Section 65 of the Act, which states inter-alia, a person acting in contravention of Section 36 (1) of the Act:
“commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00) and to imprisonment for five years, and in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine of ten thousand dollars for each day that the offence continues after conviction.”
TATT will be conducting inspections to ensure compliance with these requirements.
Payment Options
Payments can be made through any of the following options:
| 1. |
At TATT’s offices in Barataria and Tobago. |
| 2. |
Online direct to the TATT Bank Account at First Citizens, San Juan Branch Account #1388147. |
| 3. |
In person at any branch of First Citizens #1388147.
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| 4. |
Via online credit card payment by sending an email to receivables@tatt.org.tt confirming customer name, particular of the payment and amount to be paid. TATT will then send an email with the link to make the payment. |
Customers are to email the bank receipt / copy of cheque to cashier@tatt.org.tt with the file reference number/call sign if applicable when using options 2 and 3 above.
Sample calculations for Special Events Licences
- VSAT System used to broadcast some sporting event over multiple days
Application fee: $500.00
Calculation of Licence fee =
Amount of Spectrum to be used x Rate [($150 per kHz /365) x number of days being broadcast].
For example:
An entity would like to Broadcast a 5-day cricket test match via a VSAT and requests a bandwidth of 9 MHz. What is the licence fee?
Number of days of broadcast: 5
Set up day: 1
Dismantle day: 1
Spectrum used: 9 MHz
Calculation of total fees:
Application fee: $500.00
Licence fee: [(9x 1000) kHz x $150.00)/365] x 7=
(1,350,000/365) x 7
3,698.63 x 7
=$25,890.41
Total Fees = Application Fee + License Fee
= $500.00+ $25,890.41
= $26,390.41
2. Commercial TVRO system TVRO system used to broadcast some sporting event over multiple days
Application fee: $700.00
Calculation of License fee=
Amount of Spectrum to be used x Rate [($1,500 per MHz/365) x number of days broadcast].
For Example:
A local free-to-air television broadcaster would like to broadcast the Olympics using a Commercial TVRO for a period of 17days.
What is the cost?
Number of days of broadcast: 17
Set up day: 1
Dismantle day: 1
Spectrum used: 10.641 MHz
Calculation of total fees:
Application fee: $700.00
Licence Fee: [(10.641MHz x $1,500.00)/365] x 19
(15,961.50/365) x 19
43.73 x 19
=$830.87
Total Fees = Application Fee + License Fee
= $700.00 + $830.87
= $1,530.87
3. FM Radio broadcast system used to broadcast some religious event over multiple days
Application fee: $200.00
Calculation of Licence fee:
Amount of Spectrum to be used x Rate [($80 per KHz/365) x number of days being broadcast].
For Example:
An entity would like to broadcast a religious event using an FM Radio Broadcast for 28 days. What is the cost?
Number of days of broadcast: 28
Set up day: 1
Dismantle day: 1
Spectrum used: 200 KHz
Calculation of total fees:
Application fee: $200.00
License Fee: [(200KHz x $80.00)/365] x 30
(16,000/365) x 30
43.84 x 30
=$1,315.20
Total Fees = Application Fee + License Fee
= $200.00 + $1,315.20
= $1,515.20
Set up & Dismantle days: Please note that the above calculation of licence fee includes the time for set up and dismantle of equipment (i.e. one day for set up and one day for dismantle). In the event that set up and dismantle can be completed on the same day(s) of use, no additional days will be added to the licence period (and licence fee). Mandatory inspections in this regard will apply.