Consultation paper on the Methodology of Assessing Affordability of Internet Access at the retail level

This Consultation Paper seeks information and submissions concerning the Methodology approach that TRBR is adopting to assess the affordability of internet access at the retail level.

TRBR also encourages comments on related issues such as retail internet service quality and availability, and the levels of usage of retail and wholesale internet capacity and services.

The Telecommunications, Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) welcomes and invites comment and feedback to this Consultation Paper from all stakeholders and interested parties, including wholesalers, retailers, consumers and other users of internet capacity and services, and the Vanuatu Government.

The deadline for submissions or comments is 16th October 2020.

TRBR will accept comments in English or French or Bislama.

Consultation on the Draft Guideline on Universal Access

The Telecommunications, Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulation Act No. 30 of 2009, as amended by Amendment No. 22 of 2018 (the Act), Section 19 mandates the provision of the Universal Access Policy Fund. A Licensed Service provider is liable to pay an annual levy to the UAP, a sum not greater than 4% of its net revenue. Also any person may voluntarily contribute towards the UAP Fund and such person may specify that such contribution be applied in specific manner. A UAP trust fund was established with the Government and TRBR is the administrator of the UAP trust fund.

Following that, the TRBR has put together a consultation paper on a draft Guideline on the Universal Access Implemented Programs and the Licensed Service Providers obligations as mandated in Section 19 of the Act. The Guideline relates to the administration of the Universal Access Program and to ensure that the UAP continues to effectively and efficiently achieve its primary purpose of providing modern, affordable and sustainable telecommunications services, particularly to areas and communities that are unserved or underserved or which have high service cost and demand levels that would justify investment on commercial grounds.

Compulsory SIM Registration Consultation

Pursuant to the Directives executed by the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) on the 31st of March 2020 on Compulsory SIM Registration, under the state of Emergency Regulation order 35 of 2020, that the Telecommunication, Radiocommunication Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) to ensure that all SIM Cards are registered and assigned to valid national identification ID.

As such, and in exercise of the powers conferred on me by subsection 7(3) of the Telecommunications, Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulation Act No. 30 of 2009 as amended by Amendment No. 22 of 2018, the office of the TRBR have developed a draft Regulation for the registration of all SIM Card users, and for the control, administration and management of the subscriber information database.

The purpose of having such a framework in the Telecommunication or ICT sector is to

  • Be able to assist not only the Regulator but the Ministry in charge of ICT and telecommunications, and the Police in times of needs, particularly regarding criminal investigations and threats including Cybercrime and cyberthreats; and
  • To protect consumer personal data.

Please see the draft SIM Registration Regulation for comments. Please be informed that the deadline for providing feedback and comments is 15th July 2020 by closing of business. TRBR will take all comments and see how we can all work together to achieve a smooth implementation.

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