News & Releases

The Office of the Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulator (TRR) has, on 3rd June 2014, revoked three telecommunications licences which had been granted to Hotspotzz Ltd, Wavecom Ltd and Micoms Ltd. The basis for TRR’s revocation of these licences is non-compliance of the licence terms and conditions of all these licensees.

TRR was concerned that the three licensees have never provided any form of telecommunications services since attaining their licences in late 2009 and early 2010. Some of the obligations, inter alia, which the licensees have not complied with include non-payment of licence fees, the avoidance of applicability of  UAP provisions on them and, particularly, failure to provide any telecommunications services, and not have any future plans to do so; which is the primary purpose of holding and requiring a licence.

Four years after the passing of the TRR Act in 2009, TRR decided to conduct a review of its licence regime and to investigate the activities of all licensees; particularly those licensees that hold a licence but have not shown any utilization of the purpose of their licence to date. Those licensees were formally advised and cautioned by TRR on the 5th of May, about their need to provide TRR with their plans to offer a telecommunication service, and of their levy obligations under section 19 (6) (b) of the Act. In particular, the relevance of their need to retain a license should their current telecommunications zero net revenue status remains unchanged.

TRR provided the concerned licensees with ample time to respond to the revocation notices, and our request to submit plans of their intentions and relevance and need to retain their licences. In all cases, they failed to do so. The revocation orders means that these three licensees can no longer operate as telecommunications service providers and any attempt to do so will be deemed unlawful by TRR.

TRR also wishes to take this opportunity to remind all telecommunications licensees and interested parties to ensure that they comply with the terms and conditions of their licences, as well as with the legal obligations set out in the TRR Act 2009. The primary intention of possessing and need to hold a telecommunications licence is to provide telecommunications service and to observe the terms and conditions therein.  

TRR encourages interested and potential investors to apply for telecommunications licence and to participate in the development of the sector and the economy of Vanuatu at large.

Attachments:
FileDescriptionFile size
Download this file (revocation_order_no_4.pdf)Order 4 revoking the Telecommunications Licence granted to Wavecom Ltd 770 kB
Download this file (revocation_order_no_3.pdf)Order 3 revoking the Telecommunications Licence granted to Micoms Ltd 755 kB
Download this file (revocation_order_no_2.pdf)Order 2 revoking the Telecommunications Licence granted to Hotspotzz Ltd 768 kB
Details

The Government of Vanuatu has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Telecommunications/ICT Technical Assistance Program, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consultant services. The services include the conduct of Telecommunications Mobile Signal & Internet Coverage Audit.

Attachments:
FileDescriptionFile size
Download this file (expression_of_interest_mobile_signal_internet_coverage_audit.pdf)Request for Expressions of Interest: Mobile Signal & Internet Coverage Expert 556 kB
Details

On May 6 2014, TRR has released a draft revised Annex 2 of Order 2 of 2014 for consultation. The Annex 2 document contains a table of data and form part of Order 2 issued by TRR in 2012 where it requires service providers to provide quarterly data to TRR. However, several telecommunications service providers have requested that TRR reconsiders the order, specifically Annex 2 and the requirement of data.

One of the main argument raised is that Annex 2 requires too much data that impose unreasonable burden on service providers. In mid-2013, Annex 2 was put on hold by TRR and TRR agrees to review Annex 2 of the Order. As part of finalization what is more appropriate for the industry as far as data collection is concern, TRR has reviewed Annex 2 and now release it for consultation. 

All service providers, stakeholders and the public at large are now invited to comment on it prior TRR finalizing the document.

Attachments:
FileDescriptionFile size
Download this file (consultation_on_draft_revised_annex_2_of_order_2_of_2012.pdf)Draft revised Annex 2 of Order 2 of 2012 404 kB
Details

The Office of the Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulator (TRR) wishes to inform all licensees and the general public that TRR, on 30th April 2014, revoked the telecommunications licence issued on 22 September 2009 to the Vanuatu Rural Training Development Centers Association (VRTDCA) for its project “Yumi Konek Project” (Licensee).

All Licensees are required under the terms and conditions of their licences, and also under the TRR Act 2009, to fulfil their obligations, including the utilization of their licence, payment of licence fees, UAP levy fees and the provision of services. This revocation has come into effect after TRR has conducted a licence review audit on all licensees; especially those licensees that, since obtaining their licence, have not utilized their licence nor provided for the past four (4) years. Yumi Konek is one such licencee.

Following 30 days’ notice and enquiries made by TRR, and confirmation being received from VRTDCA that the Yumi Konek Project is now not operating, and has not done so for over 3 year,  VRTDCA agreed to the revocation of its licence.

After considering clause 4.1 and 4.2 of the licence and VRTDCA written agreement for revocation, TRR made a Revocation Order on 30th April 2014 to that effect.  Accordingly, the VRTDCA licence is no longer valid.

Click here to read the Order.

Details

The Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulator (TRR) has, today Wednesday 30 April 2014, released its Public Consultation Document on the Planning for the 700 MHz Band in Vanuatu, for public input and comment. This Consultation Document has been developed to facilitate the planning and allocation of the 700 MHz radiofrequency spectrum band for the delivery of wireless mobile broadband services in Vanuatu.

The Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulation Act 2009 mandates TRR to regulate the telecommunications sector and to manage the radio frequency spectrum, in order to promote national social and economic development.

Through the release of its Consultation Document, TRR is initiating a public consultation process inviting comment from interested parties on the technical framework to allocate the band 694-803 MHz (also known as the 700 MHz band) for the deployment of mobile wireless broadband services.

Comments are sought on any aspect proposed towards its allocation and use of the 700 MHz band for commercial mobile services and public safety broadband applications. Click here to download the consultation paper.

Below the Public Notice.

Attachments:
FileDescriptionFile size
Download this file (public_notice_trr_700_mhz_band_public_consultation_advert_30_april_2014.pdf)Public notice 227 kB
Details
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