In the proposed framework, TATT defines Over the Top Services as “Content, service or application, accessed by the public via the Internet, that may be a direct substitute for, and/or may compete with a public telecommunications and/or broadcasting service.” and that the scope of the proposed Framework is limited to OTT communications (voice and messaging) and OTT media services.
Some popular examples of OTT communications include
WhatsApp (including WhatsApp video and audio calling)
Skype
iMessage
Google Messages
FaceTime
Some popular examples of OTT media services include
Netflix
Disney+
YouTube
HBO Max
According to TATT, “This Framework presents the Authority’s proposed strategies and recommendations to address OTT services accessed in Trinidad and Tobago.”
“The Framework is intended to:
present the definition of OTTs adopted by the Authority.
outline the policy considerations for OTTs, including challenges and opportunities
examine approaches adopted internationally and their relevance within the local context.
present the Authority’s short-term and long-term strategies for addressing OTTs within its legislative framework.
propose recommendations for the harmonisation of OTT-based policies and regulations at the regional level.
explore options for OTT providers’ investment within the industry, inclusive of infrastructure and local content development.”
Therefore this document sets out how Trinidad and Tobago users will be able to interact (or not) with OTT services in the future.
Interested persons are asked to submit comments on this document in accordance with the TATT’s Public Consultation Comment Submission Form on or before Monday 26th September 2022.
In a Ministry of Digital Transformation press release on July 29 2022, the Ministry of Digital Transformation (MDT ; https://mdt.gov.tt/) announced the meeting of four technical working groups comprising “skilled nationals and members of our diaspora” on Wednesday 27th July 2022 to begin the preparatory work towards Trinidad and Tobago’s National Digital Transformation Strategy for 2023-2026.
Stages for developing a Trinidad and Tobago National Digital Transformation Strategy 2023-2026 from July 2022
According to a slide accompanying the press release, there will be several steps starting from July 2022 to January 2023 :
Step 1 – Initiation (presumably the convening of the four technical working groups)
Step 2 – Assessing the Digital Environment
Step 3 – Creating a Compelling Vision for National DT
Step 4 – Action Planning of Prioritised Projects
Step 5 – Implementation ; Monitoring and Evaluation
Steps 4 and 5 has the note “October 2022 – Submission to Cabinet”
The text of the press release from MDT is as follows :
Work Commences Towards TT National Digital Transformation Strategy
Four (4) Technical Working Groups (TWGs) comprising skilled nationals and members of our diaspora met on Wednesday 27th July, 2022, to officially begin the preparatory work towards our new National Digital Transformation Strategy for the period 2023 – 2026.
Speaking at the virtual launch this morning, Minister of Digital Transformation, Senator the Honourable Hassel Bacchus emphasised that the strategy is not only about transformation but about ensuring that no one is left behind. “Everything that we are doing is for our customers – this means citizens, public officers, business-persons, the diaspora – all stakeholders. This is for Trinidad and Tobago.” He thanked the members of the Technical Working Groups who said “YES” to the call to contribute, “YES”, to the call to serve the country, and “YES” to the challenge to carve out a new way of creating a pathway for the future for T&T.
The new Digital Strategy will take into account the gains achieved by previous strategic documents which have guided national ICT strategy – fastforward (2003-2008), smarTT (2014- 2018), and the ICT Blueprint, which covered the period 2018 to the end of 2022. It will also seek to incorporate the principles of co-creation, collaboration and communication.
In the coming weeks, members of the public will be invited to contribute their ideas, comments and feedback through different public engagement channels. The Working Groups will utilise all of the ideas coming in to create the vision. They will also source strategic information, advice and guidance from various digital assessments and reports, including the Digital Readiness Assessment (DRA) conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) this year.
Initial findings of the UNDP DRA Assessment report, which were shared with the TWGs at the session on Wednesday, show that there is a strong foundation for digital transformation and several opportunities exist for enhancement of our digital landscape. The UNDP, IDB, along with other local, regional and international agencies and stakeholders have committed to partnering with TT in its ambitious vision to have the National DT Strategy ready for implementation by January 2023.
Mr. Devindra Ramnarine, Digital Transformation Advisor, in his brief remarks commented that the MDT and by extension T&T will achieve its digital ambitions by being agile and learning from its mistakes, by building on the natural creativity of our people and by taking “moko jumbie steps” that will propel us forward in the shortest time possible.
More information on the public engagement will be provided soon. In the meantime, persons are invited to engage with the Strategy team by sending ideas, comments or queries to transformtt@mdt.gov.tt, and visit the Ministry of Digital Transformation’s website mdt.gov.tt for more info.
The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS ; https://ttcs.tt/) invites you to attend our online call on Thursday June 9 2022 at 8pm to discuss the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago’s Proposed Framework on Net Neutrality in Trinidad and Tobago .
The Proposed Framework on Net Neutrality in Trinidad and Tobago affects any Internet consumer and creators of content.
Please review and comment (you don’t need a Google account to comment) on the proposed policy which will impact how Trinidad and Tobago users can use and access content on the Internet.
We will be using Zoom for the call.
Join Zoom Meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83700388224
The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS ; https://ttcs.tt/) invites you to attend our online call on Thursday May 12 2022 at 8pm to discuss the following issues :
Recent cybersecurity incidents in Trinidad and Tobago (Massy, TSTT)
TTCS OSSWIN v4.0 showing the new System Admin category of Free and Open Software for Windows
TTCS OSSWIN v4.00, a collection of Free and Open Source Software for Windows 10/8/7 is available for download or viewing online at https://ttcsosswin.ttcs.tt/ .
You can use your web browser to read detailed information about each program in this compilation : what the program does, view a screenshot or video of the program, and to find links to the program’s website and to download/install the program from the TTCS OSSWIN collection.
Apart from many software updates, a new software category “System Admin” was introduced, replacing the “Server” category. 5 new programs were introduced in this software category : Angry IP Scanner, Barrier, Bulk Crap Uninstaller, Putty and Ventoy. Also, to reduce the file size of TTCS OSSWIN, 32 bit versions of software were removed if a 64 bit version of the software was available, saving over 1GB from the download.
You can view the TTCS OSSWIN page for the full list of programs included and detailed history of past changes.
You can browse TTCS OSSWIN online at https://ttcsosswin.ttcs.tt/ which features the web interface to learn about Free and Open Source programs in various categories, including screenshots or videos of the programs and a link to the program’s website where you can download the program. The web based UI is responsive, meaning it should be usable on non-Windows small screen mobile phones and tablets.
Download TTCS OSSWIN
You can download the entire collection of TTCS OSSWIN as a 7GB file for extracting to your harddrive or USB storage device (or burn on a DVD). The TTCS OSSWIN collection provides a link to install the software directly. The web interface and all screenshots and videos are included in the collection so that you can browse and install software on a Windows computer without internet access.
According to a statement from the United States’ White House dated April 28 2022, the United States with 60 partners around the globe launched the Declaration for the Future of the Internet. Those endorsing the Declaration include Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.
This Declaration represents a political commitment among Declaration partners to advance apositive vision for the Internet and digital technologies. It reclaims the promise of the Internet in the face of the global opportunities and challenges presented by the 21st century. It also reaffirms and recommits its partners to a single global Internet – one that is truly open and fosters competition, privacy, and respect for human rights. The Declaration’s principles include commitments to:
• Protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people;
• Promote a global Internet that advances the free flow of information;
• Advance inclusive and affordable connectivity so that all people can benefit from the digital economy;
• Promote trust in the global digital ecosystem, including through protection of privacy; and
• Protect and strengthen the multistakeholder approach to governance that keeps the Internet running for the benefit of all.
In signing this Declaration, the United States and partners will work together to promote this vision and its principles globally, while respecting each other’s regulatory autonomy within our own jurisdictions and in accordance with our respective domestic laws and international legal obligations.”
The scope of the proposed National Emergency Communcations Plan is to:
“1. identify and facilitate necessary upgrades to the existing land mobile radiocommunications system, enabling all emergency/disaster responders to communicate and share information on a reliable, flexible telecommunications and ICT system across all agencies, in the event of a threat or hazard, as needed and when authorised.
2. identify a contingency system which allows emergency/disaster response agencies to maintain communications in the event of damage to or destruction of their primary telecommunications and ICT systems infrastructure.
3. develop resilient systems for public notifications, alerts and warnings.
4. establish systems and processes for the urgent restoration of basic telecommunications and ICT services (voice and data) in affected areas.
5. propose appropriate upgrades for the reporting of local emergencies/disasters by the public, to include voice, video and data messages.
6. establish a contingency emergency/disaster communications system for contacting regional and international agencies.
7. identify how to include the assistance of amateur operators during emergency events.”
