PROPOSED INITIATIVES BY TATT

Transcription

1 TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO MENABLING SUMMIT MOBILE ACCESSIBILITY POLICIES: DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION AND RESULTS PROPOSED INITIATIVES BY TATT 7 TH JUNE, 2013 PRESENTED BY: ANNIE BALDEO

2 Background Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) is a converged regulator responsible for the regulation of telecommunications, broadcasting and the management of spectrum in Trinidad and Tobago Relevant Legislation: Telecommunications Act No. 4 of 2001 Telecommunications Act No. 17 of 2004 TATT became operational on 1st July 2004

3 Objects of the Telecommunications Act To Create an Open Telecommunications Market With Conditions for Fair Competition To Promote the Orderly Development of Telecommunications To safeguard, enrich and strengthen society s social, cultural and economic well being To Protect and Promote the Public Interest Accessibility Affordability Quality of Service To Facilitate Universal Access to Telecommunications To Promote the Telecommunications industry in Trinidad and Tobago 22-Jun-13 To Regulate Broadcasting Services 3

4 CURRENT MARKET ENVIRONMENT 22-Jun-13 4

5 Current Market Environment Network Category Service Provided Authorised Concessionaires Operational Concessionaires International Network only 1 1 Telecommunications Network and Services 9 8 Mobile Telecommunications Mobile voice and Internet services 2 2 Fixed Telecommunications Fixed Telephony 2 Fixed Internet 14 7 Subscription TV (Pay TV) 10 9 Free to Air Radio Broadcasting Free to Air Television Broadcasting TV Broadcasting via Cable 2 1 Total [1] Concessions are granted to persons or companies to provide telecommunications and/ or broadcasting services. [2] One concession is granted for the provision of both fixed telephony and fixed Internet services and/or networks 22-Jun-13 5

6 Impact of Liberalization Mobile Voice Penetration Pay TV Household Penetration Mobile Penetration Rate Subscription TV Penetration per 100 households 22-Jun-13 6

7 Internet Penetration Fixed Internet Household Penetration Household Fixed Internet Penetration 22-Jun-13 7

8 SECTION 28 OF ACT: UNIVERSAL SERVICE 22-Jun-13 8

9 Mandate of the Authority Section 28 of the Telecommunications Act states: 28. (1) In accordance with the policy established by the Minister, the Authority shall determine the public telecommunications services in respect of which the requirement of universal service shall apply. The following instruments have been developed: Universal Service Framework Universal Service Regulations

10 What is Universal Service? The availability and accessibility of affordable basic telecommunications services to all persons within Trinidad and Tobago Basic services prescribed in the Universal Service Framework: affordable fixed and mobile voice services for the purpose of domestic and international call origination and termination; affordable broadband Internet services of throughput no less than 5 Mbps by 2015; access to directory assistance from both fixed and mobile phones; free 24-hour access to emergency call service from both fixed and mobile phones; free itemised billing for all telecommunications services, upon request

11 Contents of Universal Service Framework Provision of basic telecommunications services to all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago Initiatives to bridge the Digital Divide: Community based initiatives Population group based initiatives Universal Service Obligations to be met by service providers Mandatory Obligations Contractual Obligations

12 Universal Service Initiatives: Differently-Abled Population Key Initiatives for 2013/2014 to provide Universal Service to the differently-abled community: Assistive Technologies for the differently-abled Assistive Services for the differently-abled Initial focus on visually impaired, blind, hearing impaired, deaf and limited mobility Obligations to be placed on the service providers and subsidised through the Universal Service Fund established by the Authority

13 Universal Service Initiatives: Differently-Abled Population Ensuring Access by Differently-abled Persons - Assistive Technologies: Supplying subsidised basic assistive technology devices Talking caller ID, Text telephone (TTY) capabilities, Hearing aid compatible handset Ensuring Access by Differently-abled Persons - Customer Support Assistive Services: Mobile credit balance information via text and voice Access to billing information online Caller ID display services Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

14 Digital Divide Survey Assessment of the digital divide: To identify un-served and underserved communities in Trinidad and Tobago To identify the needs of the differently-abled community in accessing basic telecommunications services National survey currently being implemented (previous survey conducted in 2007) Results will identify the assistive technologies to be provided and the affordability of such technologies

15 Future Initiatives Implementation of initiatives focused on the differently-abled Working hand in hand with the Differentlyabled organisations in T&T Information obtained at this Summit will assist in selecting the types of equipment and assistive technologies for implementation

16 Website: Thank you