Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society

Category: blog

  • TATT auction of radio spectrum for Broadband Wireless Access services

    TATT auction of radio spectrum for Broadband Wireless Access services

    The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) recently conducted an auction on October 5th, 2007 for radio frequency spectrum in the 700 MHz, 12 GHz and 28 GHz frequency bands for the delivery of Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) services.

    Out of five companies which were pre-qualified to participate in the auction, three companies took part :

    The other two companies which qualified but didn’t take part were Sigma Communications Limited and Columbus Communications Trinidad Limited. The auction was held at the Hotel Normandie with PricewaterhouseCoopers as the auction manager.

    The results of the auction were as follows (quoting from the October 5th, 2007 TATT press release (PDF ; 35K)) :

    • “In the auction of spectrum blocks in the 12 GHz band, there was one (1) Winning Bidder. The Winning Bidder is Telstar Cable System Limited, who won all twelve (12) blocks in this band at TT$ 650,000.00 per block per annum. The annual licence fee for Telstar Cable System Limited will therefore be TT$ 7.8 million per annum in total, for spectrum awarded in 12 GHz band.
    • In the auction of spectrum blocks in the Lower 700 MHz band, there was one (1) Winning Bidder. The Winning Bidder is Green Dot Limited, who won three (3) blocks in this band at TT$ 177,000.00 per block per annum. The annual licence fee for Green Dot Limited will therefore be TT$ 531,000.00 per annum in total, for spectrum awarded in Lower 700 MHz band,
    • In the auction of spectrum blocks in the 28 GHz band, there was no Winning Bidder and, as a result, no award of spectrum blocks.”

    Green Dot and Telstar Cable System Ltd are eligible for the spectrum license for a period of 10 years.

  • GNSO report on policy for introducing new gTLDs ; questions for ICANN workshop for 29 October needed

    GNSO report on policy for introducing new gTLDs ; questions for ICANN workshop for 29 October needed

    A followup post to the Summary of GNSO report on policy for introducing new generic Top Level Domains.

    The controversy (as I see it), is the meaning that people associate with certain letter combinations. For example, if the North American Zookeeper’s Institute wanted its own top level domain and met the technical requirements for a registry gTLD, then a .nazi gTLD could be created. Hmmm…….

    The list of gTLD that could offend someone based on their thoughts of morality, religious beliefs are potentially limitless. Governments which object to expression of certain ideas could also object to creation of certain gTLDs because of the ideal the gTLD gives recognition to. Some examples :

    • Should a group be allowed to get a .god gTLD for example? Or .jesus gTLD? Or a .mohammed gTLD?
    • What about a .casino gTLD? Lots of persons object to gambling.
    • Or a .freetibet gTLD?
    • Or .gay?
    • Or .porn?
    • Should a group outside Trinidad and Tobago create a .tnt or .trinidad gTLD?
    • Should a group/country outside Trinidad and Tobago object to a local group here applying for say a .trinidad being formed? What if the word “tnt” is a racial slur in another language? What if it offends religious sensitivities in other country?

    How to make this equitable to all? That’s want the policy for introducing new gTLDs is trying to do. As such, the proposed recommendations #6 and #20 re: new gTLDs are the ones generating the most controversy

    • #6 : “Strings must not be contrary to generally accepted legal norms relating to morality and public order that are recognized under international principles of law.”
    • #20 : “An application will be rejected if an expert panel determines that there is substantial opposition to it from a significant portion of the community to which the string may be explicitly or implicitly targeted.”

    What are your thoughts on this? Read the reports on the proposed policy and edit the wiki page
    at http://ttcsweb.pbwiki.com/New-gTLDs with your proposed questions for the ICANN workshop for October 29th, 2007 (edit the page by clicking on the “edit page button” ; the password is “ttcswebwiki”)

    If you’re willing to meet in person to debate/discuss this issue over the 20-21 October weekend, email me at admin a.t ttcsweb d,ot org. If enough persons are interested, the TTCS could arrange to meet on a Saturday or Sunday.

    Relevant links :

  • Updated street maps of Trinidad in Google Maps

    Updated street maps of Trinidad in Google Maps

    (Update 24 June 2008 : see Google Mapmaker enabled for Trinidad and Tobago )

    (Update : 23 October 2007 : added links to hybrid versions and image of hybrid Google map of Port of Spain)

    Just noticed that there are updated street maps in Google Maps for Trinidad. The street maps are more detailed in certain areas of Trinidad (sorry Tobago, no updated satellite imagery or street maps so far) and some of the streets are labelled along with several landmarks such as schools, shopping centers and police and fire stations. Neat stuff!

    Check out the Google Maps of :

    screenshot of Google map of Port of Spain, Trinidad showing satellite imagery with street names
    screenshot of Google map of Port of Spain, Trinidad

  • Fastforward : “ICT and me” brochure

    Fastforward : “ICT and me” brochure

    There is a new brochure on the Fastforward website called “ICT and me” (PDF ; 6.6 MB).

  • Summary of GNSO report on policy for introducing new generic Top Level Domains

    Summary of GNSO report on policy for introducing new generic Top Level Domains

    (Update 17th Oct : see new blog post which has more details)

    The Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) has released a summary of the report on the Introduction of new top level domains for the At-Large community’s consideration and use at the GNSO’s New gTLD Workshop at the ICANN Los Angeles meeting on Monday, 29 October 2007.

    This document is meant to provide a concise and easy to read summary of the key elements of the Report, and is organized to correspond with the Workshop sessions. At-Large participants (such as the TTCS) are encouraged to consider the summary, and the Report, and submit questions in advance that they would like the Workshop panelists to address on the
    29th.

    The TTCS wiki page http://ttcsweb.pbwiki.com/New-gTLDs has more background information about gTLDs.

    The summary of the report on the Introduction of new Top Level Domains :
    http://ttcsweb.pbwiki.com/f/New+gtlds+nnnworkshop+document.pdf (PDF ; 191K)

    The Actual Report on the Introduction of new Top Level Domains is available in two parts :
    Part A – http://gnso.icann.org/issues/new-gtlds/pdp-dec05-fr-parta-08aug07.htm
    Part B – http://gnso.icann.org/issues/new-gtlds/pdp-dec05-fr-partb-01aug07.htm

    (Update : The At Large is creating a short term working group to discuss and generate comments for input into the process and transmission to the Board of ICANN. The Working Group will work via a mailing list, and interested persons can
    subscribe to this list at http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/gnso-liaison_atlarge-lists.icann.org

    The timeframe for the working group is short, with a deadline of October 25th, 2007.

    A suggested work plan has already been posted to the Ad-Hoc Working Group on New gTLD mailing list.)

  • Libworld – Trinidad and Tobago

    Libworld – Trinidad and Tobago

    The Caribbean Librarian blogger has written a Libworld – Trinidad and Tobago article on Infobib.de. According to Infolib.de, “Libworld is a series of postings in which guest authors introduce the library and library related blogs of their particular country.”

  • TTCS pizzalime on Wednesday October 10th, 2007

    TTCS pizzalime on Wednesday October 10th, 2007

    The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society will be having a pizzalime on Wednesday October 10th, 2007 from 6pm at Pizza Hut, Roxy Roundabout.

    Come join us as we eat and chat about :

    * the launch of Blink Broadband from TSTT and broadband from Flow
    * the 2006 market report on the telecommunications sector by the Telecom Authority of Trinidad and Tobago
    * the recent TTCS Software Freedom Day event on September 15th, 2007
    * person charged under the Computer Misuse Act for hacking the Attorney General’s Internet account
    * Telecom Authority charges Laqtel

    and more…

    Persons interested in computers and related technology are welcome to attend. A contribution of $30 towards refreshments is expected.

    Copies of TTCS OSSWIN CD and Ubuntu will be available for $20 TT. See you there!

  • TATT publishes 2006 Annual Market Report on Telecommunications and Broadcasting Sectors.

    TATT publishes 2006 Annual Market Report on Telecommunications and Broadcasting Sectors.

    The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) has published a market report on the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors in Trinidad and Tobago for 2006.

    Some of the interesting stats :Re: mobile market :

    • “As at December 2006, the estimated number of mobile subscribers totaled 1,654,921. This represents an extra-ordinary increase of 730,862 or 79.1 per cent over the previous year. Of this total, 1,494,986 were prepaid customers while other 159,935 were postpaid.”
    • Mobile revenues for 2006 totaled TT$1.64 billion, of which prepaid customers accounted for TT$1.45 billion while postpaid customers contributed TT$191 million.

    Re: fixed line phone services –

    •  For  the  year  ending  December  31,  2006,  the  total  gross  revenues  earned  from  fixed  line subscribers amounted to TT$780 million. Of this amount, residential customers accounted for TT$405.7 million. Revenues from business customers on the other hand, accounted for TT$ 374.3 million.
    • There were 325,549 subscribers of fixed line telephone service at the end of 2006.

    Re: Public International telecom services,

    • the total outgoing traffic from Trinidad and Tobago, for 2006, was estimated to be 183.4 million minutes while incoming traffic was approximately 480.9 million minutes.
    • Gross revenue for international traffic for the year ending December 2006, was estimated at TT$145.1 million for outgoing calls and TT$196.7 million for incoming calls.

    Re: Internet Market :

    • “As at December 2006, there were eleven major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Trinidad and Tobago: TSTT, CableNett Limited, Carib-Link Limited, Cari Direc, Caribbean Interactive Limited, Illuminat Limited, InterServ Limited, Lisa Communications Limited, Opus Network Limited, WOW Net (2001) Limited and Green Dot Limited.” Hmmm…….Opus Networx stopped dial up access since Jan 2006 and there is no mention of Columbus Communications formerly CCTT or Caribtel.
    • As at December 2006, the total estimated number of Internet subscribers in Trinidad and Tobago is 81,064.
    • The demand for high speed access to Internet services has increased in Trinidad and Tobago in 2006 to 20,613 with 14,246 residential connections and 6,367 business connections.
    • the number of Internet users in Trinidad and Tobago stood at 15.4 per 100 inhabitants for 2006.

    Lots of interesting information, check it out…….
    Download : TATT Annual Market Report 2006 (PDF ; 236K)

  • TSTT Blink Broadband ADSL2+ pricing

    TSTT Blink Broadband ADSL2+ pricing

    (Edit 26 May 2009 – TSTT  doubles speed of residential packages  April 1st, 2009)

    (Edit: 4th October 2007 – TSTT site is now live ; confirmed pricing includes VAT pricing)

    (Edit : 3rd October 2007 – added more details about upload speeds via TTCS discuss mailing post )

    More details about TSTT’s new broadband ADSL2+ called Blink Broadband which will be launched this week. TSTT’s new website to market this is at http://www.blinkbroadband.tt/ . See Flow’s residential and business broadband packages for comparison. Broadband competition is good for consumers. 🙂

    TSTT’s Blink Broadband Packages Residential (pricing as of May 2009) :

    All prices in TT dollars per month. VAT is included.

    • Blink Basic : 256kbits download / 64kbits upload
      • $79
    • Blink Basic Plus : 1MB download / 256kbits upload
      • $149
    • Blink Premium : 2MB download / 512kbits upload
      • $229
    • Blink Premium Plus : 4MB download / 768kbits upload
      • $349
    • Blink Super : up to 10MB download /768kbits upload
      • $699

    TSTT’s Blink Broadband Packages for Businesses :

    All prices in TT dollars per month. VAT is included.

    • 512kbits download / 128kbits upload
      • $799
    • 1MB download / 256kbits upload
      • $1,249
    • 1MB download (sync) / [presume this means 1MB upload]
      • $1,799
    • 2MB download / 768kbits upload
      • $2,399
    • 3MB download / 768kbits upload
      • $2,949
    • 4MB download / 768kbits upload
      • $5,249

    So far, TSTT’s Blink broadband packages would be available in the following areas :

    • San Juan
      • El Socorro Rd, El Socorro Ext Rd, Boundary Road, Don Miguel Rd, Eastern Main Road, Aranguez Main Road, Saddle Rd, First Ave to Tenth Ave, Barataria, First Street to Twelfth Street, Barataria, William St, Mt. Hope Road, Lady Young Rd, 2nd Caledonia
    • Diego Martin
      • Diego Martin Main Rd, La Puerta, Victoria Gardens, Westmoorings, Glencoe, Petit Valley, Goodwood Park, Diamond Vale, St. Lucien Rd, Morne Coco Rd, Industrial Estate, Richplain, La Estancia
    • West
      • Federation Park, Ellerslie Park Champs Elysees, Long Circular, Dibe, Cocorite, The Greens, Hillsboro, St James, Newtown, St. Clair, Boissierre Village, Queen’s Park West, Poui Hill, Lady Chancellor, Woodbrook – North, Ariapita Ave – North, Saddle Rd, La Seiva
  • TSTT to announce $79 TT per month for unlimited ADSL?

    TSTT to announce $79 TT per month for unlimited ADSL?

    According to the October 1st, 2007 press release, TSTT has announced it is completing its broadband infrastructure upgrade and plans to introduce unlimited ADSL as low as $79 TT per month. Wow. Wonder what is going to happen to regular dial up pricing? Surely, it can’t stay at $300 TT for TSTT unlimited dialup.

    Edit (11pm) :  TSTT is to market the new broadband launch as Blink Broadband with speeds up to 10MBits. And the $79 TT amount is a initial promotional offer.

    Text of TSTT October 1st, 2007 press release :

    On October 1st, TSTT entered the final phase of its multi-million dollar broadband infrastructure upgrade that will see the company ramp up its customer broadband capacity to over 100,000 ports within a 4-month period. The project will ultimately deliver broadband access speeds of up to 10Mbps and reach every Exchange in Trinidad and Tobago. Trevor Deane TSTT’s Executive Vice President Broadband Services says that with the upgrade, TSTT will be able to extend the distance limitations that were a feature of its current High-Speed Internet offering. “We have invested in ‘future proof’ technologies that are versatile enough to support current and emerging technologies. Modernising our infrastructure and completing our Metro Ethernet fibre distribution network will mean the sky is the limit for business and residential users.”

    Deane says the upgrade has enabled TSTT to quickly reach critical mass and customers will soon see a value proposition that will be hard to resist. “The final numbers are still being crunched but we are going after an extremely competitive price point with rates for unlimited monthly broadband access starting as low as $79 a month! This is Broadband redefined.”

    Deane says TSTT is very excited about these developments. “Broadband access is the single most important growth area in the communications industry because of the transformative power it has in business and social spheres.” He explains that TSTT is laying the ground work for customers to use broadband access for entertainment, research and education, communication, buying and selling, accessing Government services, health care and much more.

    Deane is confident that TSTT’s macro broadband initiative will single-handedly give Trinidad and Tobago a quantum leap forward. “While we have placed a lot of emphasis on the wired network, we are simultaneously developing our wireless broadband coverage so there will be virtually universal affordable broadband access throughout Trinidad and Tobago, a feat that few anywhere else in the region can boast about.”

    The service will be rolled out in three phases. Customers serviced off the West, San Juan and Diego Martin exchanges will be included in the first phase, while the second phase inclusive of four more exchanges is due to begin by mid November.