TRR has revoked Three Telecommunications Licences for non-compliance

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.

Details

Public Register