News & Releases

As part of its ongoing support towards ICT capacity development in Vanuatu, TRBR has for the 4th time supported the 2022 Team Vanuatu Robotics with a cash sponsorship of VT100,000.
 
These funds will support the team with logistics to participate in the 2022 FIRST Global Robotics Challenge in Geneva from 13-16 October 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland.
 
It is in the interest of TRBR to continue to support such innovative activities for young people to boost their interest in the ICT sector as a possible career pathway since Vanuatu still has limited Tier 1 ICT professionals.
 
▶ More info about this year’s international robotics Challenge #FGC2022Geneva : https://first.global/fgc

 

Details

Telecommunications, Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) together with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and stakeholders assembled to launch the ‘Type Approval Module system’ on the 22nd of September.

This particular system is a single web based system, which will help provide an easier and safer automatic web access for Import permits approvals and Certificates for businesses or individuals, which was at first processed manually.

The permits and Certificates from this businesses or individuals will get its approval by the TRBR.

The system will also enable TRBR, which identifies as the main facilitator, to connect with multiple regulatory Agencies that are approved under the TBRB such as; Customs and Immigration Biosecurity; Energy; Environment and Telecom to help them get permit approvals easier.

The Vanuatu Electronic Single Window Project Manager, Stanley Trief said The ‘Type Approval Module system’ is the second Phase upgrade of the ‘ASYCUDA World Program’ that was launched in 2016, which was initiated by the Government of Vanuatu.

He said there are two main objectives behind the launching of the new upgrade system. The first one is to facilitate the work of TRBR that is issuing Permits and Certificates for type approved devices that met international safety and quality standards for use in Vanuatu.

“Such devices are; Mobile Phones; Computers; Bluetooth Devices; radio and Television and the international standards are safety and quality net receptions,” said Mr. Trief

“The second objective is once the TRBR starts issuing these permits through the module, it will be linked to Custom clearance to access a more accurate information of the import goods along with their quantities.”

The second Phase upgrade started at 2019 and was made possible with help from two main donors, which is the Enhance Intergraded framework (EIF) and the Australian Government through an investment of VT200 million for the project.

Mr. Trief said there will be a third phase enhancement of the system that will be initiated next year and hopeful with help of the Vanuatu Government.

TRBR Brian Winji thanked the Australian Government and EIF and Technical team for their support to make possible for the Type Approval System to come into reality and make life easier in permit approval process.

 

By Jamie Brown - Dailypost

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The two institutions are both statutory bodies which operate under separate legislations.

With the growth of technology, digital services, and the convergence of technology, financial crime could be conducted with the use of such technology, as such, shared information, and knowledge of combatting financial crime will also change, and therefore, it is important that these institutions work together to achieve a sound and safe financial ecosystem for Vanuatu.

This memorandum of Agreement is to assist both institutions to cooperate and to facilitate information sharing for investigation and prosecution of money laundering offences, or financing of terrorism offence or any other serious offence or an offence that is substantially like such offence, facilitated through means of electronic communications.

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The Asia-Pacific region continues to experience extraordinary growth in the field of the Telecommunication/ICT sector. However, due to the vastness and diverse nature of the region spanning geography, culture, climate, and ethnicity among others, Asia Pacific countries are in different stages of development. In light of this, Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) plays a pivotal role in bringing equal representations and voices from every part of the region through various high-level events.

At the 2022 APT Policy and Regulatory Forum (PRF) meeting from 19-21 July 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand, attended by the Chief information officer of the Office of the Prime Minister Mr. Gerad Metsan, and the Regulator and Mr. Kalkoa Samson from the Office of the TRBR, Mr. Molitaviti was re-elected as one of the two Vice Chairs of APT PRF in accordance with the Working Methods of PRF. Mr. Molitaviti’s nomination was made by the Office of the Hon. Prime Minister, Hon. Bob Loughman Weibur, who is also the Minister responsible for Telecommunications/ICT in Vanuatu.

The APT Policy and Regulatory Forum (PRF) is an annual APT event where policymakers and regulatory authorities meet to discuss common Telecommunication/ICT policy and regulatory issues and challenges in the APT region. It also serves as an important platform for industry leaders to share their concerns and views in relation to policy and regulatory measures. This event is a high-level forum where important delegations from various Ministries and Regulatory Authorities from the region also deliberate on key regional issues. It also emphasizes on identifying mutual ground and collaborative approaches in addressing policy and regulatory challenges in the region.

The Forum also offers the opportunity to discuss economic and financial approaches to building sustainable ecosystem for 5G including regulatory implications and impacts of other emerging technologies on the economy and ICT landscape, Cyber Security, and rural connectivity and other matters relevant to telecommunications/ICT in the Asia Pacific region.

Also Elected at the APT PRF-22, the APT PRF Chair, Mr. Ilyas Ahmed who is the chief Executive of the Communications Authority of Maldives, and the other Vice Chair, Miss Thasawan Samorwong, Director of International Organizations Group, International Affairs Decision, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society of Thailand.

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TRBR continues to commit to its obligations on the implementation of the Government’s Universal Access Policy (UAP).

On the 8th of July 2022, TRBR signed the 3rd Universal Access Policy (UAP) Undertaking Agreement with Digicel and Vodafone on the rollout of their network to the underserved and unserved areas. The COVID-19 situation has quite delayed the Operators commitments in the 2nd UAP Undertaking, however this has not stopped TRBR from progressing forward with the third Undertaking Agreement that will address the underserved and unserved areas that are yet to be covered. 

Starting from the Torres Group to the southern Islands, TRBR has identified a total of 60 underserved and unserved areas during the 2020 Nationwide Coverage and Quality of Service Audit, and is spreading out these areas into phases, which are expected to be completed by 2024. Whilst Operators are erecting their towers at the identified locations, the sustainability of the towers remains a challenge, as Operators are not getting return on their investment, and quality of service is a matter to be improved as well at the network level.

These are some of the challenges that TRBR in collaboration with the Operators and support from the Government would be looking into going forward.

 

Details
  1. Signing of TRBR Tendering Guidelines and Procedures
  2. Beyond COVID-19, Fostering E-Commerce Landscape in Vanuatu for an Interconnected Digital Economy
  3. Policy and Regulatory Forum (PRF) at Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT)
  4. NOTICE OF MODIFICATION OF DETERMINATION OF JUNE 2016
  5. Women and Girls in ICT Experiences & Development 2018 - Report
  6. APrIGF 2018
  7. Competition on Telecommunications/ICT Innovative Ideas
  8. Telecommunications/ICT Related Workshops
  9. Pacific IGF (17-18 May) Update held at PITA conference
  10. Consultation on Draft Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Type Approval and Conformity to Standards Regulation

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