2014 Decisions

Decision 04 of 2014

Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) made this decision on 17 December 2014 after Digicel requested TRBR to review the “4 months grace period” given to TVL to rectify its misleading advertisement relating to WAO service, in particular the use of word “free”. In its review, TRBR, inter alia, remove the 4 months grace period and decide on a 4 working days for TVL to amend its WAO Service Billboards and or insert the key terms and the charges of the service, when using the word “free” in its advertisement.

Decision 03 of 2014 on the Fixed Service (Microwave) Spectrum Band Planning

Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) publicly consulted on the Fixed Service Band Planning in Q2/3 2014 and, using valuable feedback and comments received from licensees and stakeholders during the consultation, issued its Decision 03 of 2014, on 19 November 2014.

The decision outlines the band plans and channelling arrangements that TRBR will follow in its allocation and assignment of spectrum for the fixed microwave radio services in Vanuatu.

Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) released its consultation document on 27 June 2014 inviting public comment and input on the planning of the Fixed Services Bands in Vanuatu. The Consultation was planned to end on 28 July 2014, but was extended to 14 August 2014 to accommodate additional input from TVL and Digicel regarding TRBR’s proposed plans, and their existing usage of the 7 GHz band; as well as to allow for any late submissions of feedback and comments. TRBR received comments and feedback from service providers, stakeholders and interested persons, which assisted it in the making of its decision.

Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) is mandated by the Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulation Act 2009, to regulate the telecommunications sector and to manage the radio frequency spectrum, in order to promote national social and economic development. TRBR’s Spectrum Planning, Allocation and Assignment Practices provide TRBR guidelines to, among other things:

•     develop practices with regard to the strategic planning of the radio spectrum in Vanuatu with the aim of optimizing the use of radio spectrum and of avoiding harmful interference; and
•    ensure the effective implementation of radio spectrum practices to ensure the availability and efficient use of radio spectrum.

Decision 02 of 2014 - Decision on new Prescribed Fees for Radio Apparatus Licences

Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) publicly consulted on the new prescribed fees for Radio Apparatus Licensing and, using feedback and comments received during the consultation, issued its Decision 02 of 2014, on 7 November 2014; outlining the process it had taken and the reasons for implementing a New Prescribed Fees Schedule for Radio Apparatus Licences.

Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) conducted two public consultations on the proposed new Radio Apparatus Licence Fees. The first consultation paper was released in May 2013, during which TRBR put forward a proposed new fee structure to replace the existing set of radio apparatus licence fees.  Comments received on that consultation paper were generally opposed to the proposed new fees.  After considering the responses received during that (first) consultation, TRBR decided to take a different approach and then undertake a further public consultation on the matter.

This led to the release of a second consultation paper in August 2014. In this second consultation paper TRBR outlined that it had reviewed and assessed the previously proposed set of licence fees after considering public comment and feedback which was received. TRBR, taking into consideration current market developments then developed a new set of proposed fees for responders and stakeholders to consider and comment on.  There was no comment on the second public consultation although TRBR was aware that licence holders, stakeholders and interested members of the public had either received and read the document or had at least been aware of the paper proposing new radio licence fee increases.

After considering all the comments and feedback received from the service providers and interested persons during the first consultation and noting that no further comments were received on the second consultation paper, TRBR decided that it is in the public interest to adopt the proposed set of radio apparatus licence fees released on 20th August 2014.

Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) notes that the lack of comment on that second public consultation document can be seen as an indication of support for, and agreement with, the new fees schedule that was proposed.

Therefore, acting in accordance with the provisions of the Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulation Act No. 30 of 2009, particularly Sections 7(1), 7(2)(e) and 7(4)(b) and (c), the Regulator made his decision to adopt the new proposed fees for implementation. Decision 02 of 2014, subsequently, makes the new Prescribed Fees for Radio Apparatus Licences official and mandated for implementation as of 1st January 2015.

Decision 01 of 2014 - Decision on Planning for the 700MHz Band in Vanuatu

Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) publicly consulted on the 700 MHz Band Planning and, using feedback and comments received during the consultation, issued its Decision 01 of 2014, on August 2014, outlining the process that it will follow in its allocation and assignment of the 700 MHz spectrum band.

Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) released its consultation document on 30th April 2014 inviting public comment and input on the planning of the 700MHz Band in Vanuatu. During the consultation period, TRBR received comments and feedback from service providers, stakeholders and interested persons, which assisted the Regulator in the making of his decision.

Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) is mandated by Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulation Act 2009, to regulate the telecommunications sector and to manage the radio frequency spectrum, in order to promote national social and economic development.

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