News & Releases

IMPORTANT: Outstanding fees and 2016 Radio apparatus licence renewal

Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) wishes to inform and remind all Radio Apparatus Licence Holders of radio equipment installed on-board marine vessels, aircraft and on land, whose licences have not yet been renewed for 2016, of their obligations to have their radio licences renewed and the prescribed fees paid NOW.

This fee and the associated licence is applicable in accordance with the Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Act No. 30 of 2009 (the “TRR ACT”), the Radio Licence, Spectrum Licence (Fees) Regulation Order No. 153 of 2012 (the “Fees Regulation”) and the decision 02 of 2014.
You are hereby reminded to ensure that you have your radio licences renewed as soon as possible and to do so no later than the end of the year 2015 (COB Thursday 31h December 2015).

TRBR further wishes to advise that after the dateline, of Thursday 31st December 2015. For non-compliance, anyone found to be knowingly operating a radio station on board a marine vessel, an aircraft or on land, after Thursday 31st December 2015 and without a valid radio station licence issued by TRBR is in breached of the TRBR Act and the Fees Regulation, and may be subject to a penalty and or fine. TRBR will continue to monitor and will commence its physical investigation on those that have not complied with the Act in early 2016.

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Consultation Paper on Radio Spectrum Fees in Vanuatu

In this paper the Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) of Vanuatu (TRR) is seeking comment on its proposals to introduce a Spectrum Fee Schedule which would result in spectrum fees being levied on identified spectrum bands that are in high demand.

This public consultation addresses the methodology for the setting of radio frequency spectrum licence fees, and proposes a fee formula and schedule of fees to apply to spectrum fees.

Spectrum fees will be aimed at encouraging spectrum to be used efficiently in Vanuatu, where that spectrum is likely to be in high demand. In considering the level of proposed spectrum fees, TRBR has gathered relevant information about prices for spectrum use in other countries including those in the region, as well as information from countries that have used spectrum auction and applied fees approaches.

TRBR has looked at the range of uses of spectrum in Vanuatu to decide which bands should be subject to the spectrum fees. It has concluded that the spectrum fees should be limited to the following bands:

• Bands used for mobile telecommunications (900 MHz, 1800 MHz)
• Other wireless broadband spectrum (2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz)
• Broadcasting spectrum used for pay TV (510-550 MHz, 560-608MHz, 610-660 MHz)
• 700 MHz band following allocation (703-748 MHz, 758-803 MHz).

The deadline for public Comments is 4:30pm, 18 March 2016; Please note that TRBR’s
consultation timeframe in accordance with TRBR’s Consultation Guidelines is normally 28
days. For this plan, TRBR considers a 6 week review period is necessary.

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2014 Statistics

Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) has published the 2014 Telecommunications statistics.

Click the link below for details.

2014 Statistics

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2015 Annual Report

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2015 Statistics

The number of internet subscribers in Vanuatu continued to grow in 2015 following the installation of the ICN1 submarine cable in 2014 and service providers’ efforts to make available this service to users. The heavy competition between internet service providers (ISPs) was stimulated by operators introducing new, cheaper offers particularly with new and improved unlimited download plans as well as increasing internet speeds. Customers in Vanuatu can connect to the internet through a broad and increasing range of technologies and transmission methods as ISPs adopt and adapt technologies to suit the unique requirements of our market.

There has been significant growth in the number of users accessing the internet via mobile data, with both mobile operators now offering a range of 3G enabled smartphones for under 5000vt and the number of people, particularly young people, who now have the tools to access the internet; hence this service has grown considerably in recent years. Since the submarine cable landed in 2014 mobile operators have had access to greater amounts of internet bandwidth at lower cost than the previous satellite connections, and this has led to much more competitive and affordable data bundles being available to consumers. The price per MB of data allowance dropped considerably in 2015 with weekly bundles being available at an average rate of 15vt/MB in November 2014 to as little as 1vt/MB in 2015 or 2vt/MB with Facebook included free as part of the bundle.

Click the link below for mores 2015 Statistics.

Statistics

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  1. Vanuatu Girls in ICT Celebration 28th April 2016
  2. New Interconnection Agreement Between TVL and DIGICEL 2016 - 2018
  3. TRBR consumer survey
  4. TRBR releases UAP Stakeholders Update Report No.5
  5. Order 3 of 2016 Gazetted
  6. 2016 and onwards work plan (Revised - 22 July 2016)
  7. Determination and findings relating to the wholesale international internet services market and speedcast's complaint against intercahnge Ltd
  8. Decision 1 of 2016
  9. Invitations for Expression of Interest Financial Audit Services 2016-2018
  10. Consumer Fact Sheets and Posters

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