Final Regulations
The Office of the Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator is pleased to inform all Service Providers and the public that the SIM Regulation has been gazetted by Gazetted SIM Regulation Order 105 of 2022. The general functions and powers are stipulated by section 7 of the Telecommunications, Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulation Act (the Act) as amended, and the Regulation is now effective for implementation.
The general powers and functions have been extended to allow for Service providers to commence SIM Registration legally as stipulated by Section 7 (4) (d) (a) and (d) (b) of the Act and will be supported by the SIM Registration Regulation. The TRBR is obliged to establish a subscriber information database to record and store subscriber information or requiring service providers to register subscribers in the subscriber’s information database. Furthermore, in accordance with Clause 8 (1)(b) of this Regulation, the Registration of the existing subscribers grace period provides for a period of 12 months from the commencement date of this Regulation or such other date which the Regulator may determine in writing, within which existing subscribers will be required to register SIM Card information in accordance with this Regulation.
With the rapid increase in the uptake of mobile, internet, Pay-tv and radio services in Vanuatu, it is evident that the market is seeing an increase in the number of radiocommunications, telecommunications and Broadcasting devices and equipment from different vendors and suppliers. Some of which may be of low quality and may not be compliant with applicable international standards and requirements.
Section 7 of the Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulation Act 30 of 2009 as amended by Amendment 22 of 2018, (the Act) prescribes the general functions and powers of the Telecommunications, Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR). Sub-section 7(3) of the Act states
“The Regulator may, with the approval of the Minister, make such regulations as may be necessary or convenient to give effect to the provisions of this Act”, and Paragraph 7(4) (f) of the Act states that “imposing restrictions or limitations upon the importation, sale or use of any equipment used or likely to be used in connection with radiocommunications or telecommunications”.
With the powers prescribed by the ACT, the TRBR has implemented a Type Approval Regulation and Conformity to Technical Standards to overcome any present or potential problems as the result of importing low quality non-compliant Radiocommunications and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (RTTE). Type approval is a process by which Information, and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment and devices, such as RTTE, is authorized for sale and use in a country (“approved”). It involves verification of the equipment against the applicable international standards and requirements to ensure that the ICT equipment or RTTE does not cause any interference, or long or short term damage to the radio and telco networks, the environment and also the general public.
Online payment for Type approval and conformity to standard
In order to facilitate the management and administration of the .vu Country Code Top Level Domain, TRR issued a Regulation establishing the framework as provided by the Act, called the Vanuatu Domain Name Management and Administration Regulation .
TRR is proudly releasing to all its stakeholders particularly the end-users of telecommunications that the Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Consumer Protection
Regulation is being approved and gazette for use.