On November 2013, the Trinidad and Tobago Cabinet approved the National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Plan 2014-2018, called “smarTT” after the consultations in 2012
Read/View smarTT National ICT plan 2014-2018 (PDF ; 8.2MB ; 158 pages)
smarTT comprises five (5) thematic areas, nineteen (19) key imperatives, and fifty-six (56) programmes, along with accompanying high level activities.
The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) has posted the Draft Telecommunications (Universal Service) Regulations for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for public comment until August 12 2013.
To quote from the introduction :
Considering the importance of telecommunication services, the concept of universal service was developed. Universal service focuses on facilitating accessible and affordable basic telecommunication services to all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
The Authority’s policy considerations in relation to the determination of universal service obligations are set out in the Universal Service Framework for Telecommunications Services in Trinidad and Tobago (“the Framework”), a document which has been subject to two rounds of public consultation. This document seeks to identify the services in respect of which universal service obligations shall apply, set out the Authority’s operational procedures for the Universal Service Fund into which contributors would be bound to contribute a percentage of their revenues and to identify the Universal Service initiatives which would be supported by the Fund.
The purpose of the draft Telecommunications (Universal Service) Regulations 2013 is to provide the necessary legal bases for the operation of the Universal Service Fund and for the imposition of obligations on concessionaires to implement such Universal Service initiatives as may be identified by the Authority.
View/Download:
The deadline for comments is August 12 2013. Comments can be posted to TATT, in accordance with TATT’s Procedures for Consultations in the Telecommunications Sectors of Trinidad and Tobago.
On May 6, 2013, the Ministry of Science and Technology of Trinidad and Tobago via the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) posted two documents for public comment. They are the:
The submission of comments was June 3 2013 but this deadline was extended to Tuesday 09 July 2013.
The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS) submitted its comments on the draft policy for (and proposed amendments to) the Telecommunications Act, using the comment submission form posted on TATT’s website:
On May 6, 2013, the Ministry of Science and Technology of Trinidad and Tobago via the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) posted two documents for public comment. They are the:
The submission of comments was June 3 2013 but this deadline was extended to Tuesday 09 July 2013.
The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS) has posted its draft comments on the draft policy for (and proposed amendments to) the Telecommunications Act, using the comment submission form posted on TATT’s website:
Your comments and feedback are welcomed before any comments are formally submitted to TATT.
On May 6, 2013, the Ministry of Science and Technology of Trinidad and Tobago via the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT ; http://www.tatt.org.tt) have posted two documents for public comment. They are:
The submission of comments must be made on or before Monday 3rd June 2013 (update June 28 2013) extended to July 9 2013.
(Update : June 28, 2013 : TTCS Draft Comments posted)
According to the Proposed Policy to amend the Telecommunications Act,
The Policy is intended to amend the framework developed for the administration and regulation of the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors as set out in the Telecommunications Act.
The Policy is thus intended to amend market regulatory rules to provide for the continued orderly development of the telecommunications and broadcasting
sector after the liberalisation process begun in earnest in 2005. The policy therefore provides for the strengthening of the Authority’s powers in certain instances to
mitigate against activity which may have a prejudicial impact on the sector and the wider economy.The policy also seeks to provide for appropriate competition regulation in the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors which will effectively close the
regulatory gaps created by the passage of the Fair Trading Act Chap. 81:13. Section 3(g) of the said Act specifically excludes from its ambit, those companies
which fall under the purview of the Telecommunications Act.
The Proposed Policy to amend the Telecommunications further describes
View/Download the Proposed Policy to amend the Telecommunications Act (PDF ; 432K) (Mirror copy of “Proposed Policy to Amend the Telecommunications Act”)
This document is the proposed Telecommunication Act as it would look after the amendments were made to the Act. The modifcations or changes to the existing act are in bold.
View/Download the Proposed Telecommunications Amendment Act (PDF ; 897K) (Mirror copy of “Proposed Telecommunications Amendment Act”)
Persons wanting to submit comments can submit their comments online or via paper using the “Public Consultation Comment Submission Form-Draft Policy and Proposed Amendments to Telecommunications Act” (DOC ; 41K ; Mirror of “Public Consultation Comment Submission Form-Draft Policy and Proposed Amendments to Telecommunications Act”) form.
Submission of comments must be made on or before Monday 3rd June 2013.
The Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education (MSTE) and iGovTT launched a series of consultations on the National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Plan 2014-2018 on Wednesday 21 March 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel which culminated in a two-day Conference on July 11 2012 as the final point of consultation on the Draft National ICT Plan.
Read MSTE/iGovTT press ad on April 2, 2012 (PDF ; 1.3MB) which reported on the initial consultations and the schedule for consultations. Persons were also invited to comment on the draft ICT plan at http://www.ictconsultations.gov.tt/
The draft National ICT Plan dubbed “smartTT” focused on 5 thematic areas to guide the implementation of ICT development agenda for Trinidad and Tobago. The five themes were:
The plan was predicated on the National ICT vision which is to create
“A dynamic knowledge based society, driven by the innovative use of ICTs to enhance the social, economic and cultural development of the
people of Trinidad and Tobago.”
The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS) also submitted comments to the National ICT Consultation.
On July 11 2012 at the start of the two day conference, attendees were shown the draft smartTT ICT Plan for 2012-2016
Read/View smartTT Draft ICT Plan 2012-2016 (PDF ; 18MB ; 58 pages)
Jacqueline Morris also managed to do a ustream live webcast during the first day of the July 11 2012 conference.
The TTCS has submitted its official Comments to the National ICT Consultations.
We would like to thank all those who contributed.
Attachments:
National ICT Consultation Press Ad
TTCS-comments-for-the-National-ICT-Consultation-Plan-(Online)-2012
The Data Protection Bill 2011 was introduced in the House of Representatives in January 2011.
The Bill “seeks to protect the privacy of personal and private information of individuals which is entered into electronic format” and “to ensure that protection is afforded to an individual’s right to privacy and the right to maintain sensitive personal information as private and personal.”
The Bill also establishes an Office of the Information Commissioner to monitor the administration of the Act to ensure its purposes are achieved.
Several concerns were raised by the Opposition and the Bill went into committee stage in the House of Representatives with several changes made.
In the Senate, more concerns were raised by Independent and Opposition Senators and the Bill went into the Committee Stage in the Senate with amendments made.
The House of Representatives approved the Senate Amendments and the Bill was Assented on June 22 2011. It was proclaimed on January 6 2012 given the need for Part I and sections 7 to 18, 22, 23, 25(1), 26 and 28 of Part II of the Data Protection Act 2011 to come into operation.
The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society has submitted comments to the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) on the “Draft Implementation Plan on Number Portability For The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago”
View/Read the Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society’s comments on “Draft Implementation Plan on Number Portability For The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (PDF ; 248K)
The Electronic Transaction Bill 2011 was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 19 2011.
The Bill seeks “to give legal effect to electronic documents, electronic records, electronic signatures and electronic transactions”
Several concerns were raised by the Opposition and the Bill went into committee stage in the House of Representatives with several changes made.
In the Senate, more concerns were raised by Independent and Opposition Senators and the Bill went into the Committee Stage in the Senate with amendments made.
The House of Representatives approved the changes and the Bill was assented on April 28 2011.
Parts I, II, III and IV of the Electronic Transactions Act was proclaimed on January 6 2012. Part VII of the Act was proclaimed on January 18 2012.
Electronic Transactions Bill 2011 (PDF ; 241K)
Electronic Transactions Bill 2011 (PDF ; 158K) – after amendments in the House of Representatives and the Senate
Electronic Transactions Act 2011 (PDF ; 181K)
Parliament’s website on the Electronic Transactions Bill / Act 2011 showing the Hansard of the sessions when the Bill was discussed in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
