MORATORIUM ON CONCESSION APPLICATIONS

On 17th June, 2009 the Board of the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) issued a Moratorium on the acceptance of concession applications submitted on a ‘first come – first served’ basis, in relation to any market, class of service or type of concession.

At that time a Moratorium was necessary in order for TATT to conduct a full assessment of the impact of liberalisation on Trinidad and Tobago’s telecommunications and broadcasting sectors.  The result of the impact assessment was  intended to ensure that the necessary conditions existed for the systematic and orderly development of these sectors and to determine whether or not there should be a limit on the number of providers in each market subject to a ‘first come – first served’ process for concession applications.

Having completed the assessment exercise and reviewed the results, the Board at its Meetings held on 17th March, 2011 and 20th April, 2011, decided to lift the Moratorium in relation to the acceptance of applications for Concessions in specific markets.

As of the date of this Notice the following is now applicable:

1. TATT may accept applications on a ‘first come – first served’ basis in relation to such applications for the provision of services or for the operation of networks in the following markets:
   
   1. Subscription television;
   2. Domestic fixed telecommunications services;
   3. Subscription radio;
   4. International telecommunications provided that such applications propose to roll out new networks and or facilities; and
   5. Cable-based television services.
2. That the Moratorium shall continue to apply in relation to all applications for the provision of services or for the operation of networks in the following markets, as applicable:
   
   1. Domestic mobile telecommunications services;
   2. Free-to-air television services; and
   3. Free-to-air radio services.

In the markets identified at (ii) above, TATT shall not accept applications for the grant of concessions on a ‘first come-first served’ basis. If TATT considers it necessary and upon the publication of a notice by TATT to that effect, such applications, as identified under (ii) above, would only be accepted by TATT in response to a Request for Proposals.

Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago
#5 Eighth Avenue Extension,
Off Twelfth Street,
Barataria
Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Phone: +1 868 675 8288
Fax: +1 868 674 1055
Email
Website: www.tatt.org.tt

Dated: June 3, 2011