News & Releases

Further Consultation Paper on Proposed New Radio Apparatus Licence Fees and Procedures

The Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulator (TRR) has, on Wednesday 20 August 2014, released a further Consultation Paper, for public comment, on proposed new Radio Apparatus Licence Fees and Procedures.


TRR conducted an earlier consultation on this issue, in May 2013.  In the consultation paper released at that time, TRR put forward a proposed new fee structure to replace the existing set of apparatus licence fees.  Comments received on that consultation paper were generally opposed to the proposed new fees.  After considering the responses received during that previous consultation, TRR has decided to undertake further public consultation on the matter.  In particular, TRR has reviewed and assessed the previously proposed set of licence fees after considering public comment feedback received and current market developments, and has now devised a new set of proposed fees for responders to consider and comment on.

 
In this new consultation paper, TRR discusses the principles applicable to the setting of apparatus licence fees.  It considers that the underlying principle for apparatus licence fees should be the need to recover the costs of spectrum management from licensees.  The current level of apparatus licence fees falls short of the level required to recover the costs reasonably attributed to activities associated with radio apparatus licensing.  Because of this, other licensees effectively cross-subsidise radio apparatus licensees.

Details

TRR Warns Against Hoax and Malicious calls to Emergency Numbers

The public might be aware that Vanuatu has several Emergency Services Operators which monitor phone lines for rescue and emergency situations.

The Office of the Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulator (TRR) wishes to raise public awareness of these numbers and inform Vanuatu citizens of current problems with hoax calls to these operators.

Those operators and the emergency phone numbers allocated to them are:

Emergency Phone Numbers Emergency Service Operators
111 Police
112 Vila Central Hospital and Ambulance
113 Fire Brigade
114 Maritime Emergencies
115 ProMedical - VEMSA

Because of their critical nature, calls to these numbers are purposely “free of charge”, to assist and help people in critical and emergency situations to reach appropriate Emergency Services Operators they need for help and assistance.

There currently is a problem, however, in that some people are abusing this privilege and assistance mechanism, and distracting the Emergency Services Operators from undertaking their critical tasks.

Details

"Reaching The Rural Community Through Broadband Internet – Rensarie Experience” Documentary Film

TRR released today, a documentary on “The Rensarie UAP Broadband Pilot Project” - a community based project on piloting the provision of Broadband Internet through a Telecentre, in a rural area called Rensarie, on the island of Malekula, Vanuatu.

The Pilot Project started in October 2010 and ended in November 2013. By stimulating the up-take of internet, the project focused on providing Internet as a sustainable business and for social development in this rural community.

The Pilot project is an outcome of the Government of Vanuatu (GOV) UAP framework and program, and is an initiative of and exemplifies collaborative working arrangement between GOV, TRR and the Australian Government. This Pilot project was funded by the Australian Government with aid via its Governance for Growth support for the Vanuatu UAP program, and was developed and implemented by TRR with the support and assistance of the GOV. The project was built by Incite; a local IT company and Telecom Licensee.

The Pilot period was developed in two phases; the first phase was a 12 month period that began on 1st December 2011 during which the Pilot project was managed by Incite as the tender winner to build the Telecentre. The second and final phase began in December 2012 and ended on 30 November 2013. During the final phase, the Pilot Project was managed by Rensarie College on behalf of the community. TRR had project management, technical auditing and oversight roles, during the entire pilot period.

TRR was honored to have this Pilot project handed over to the Rensarie Community by the Hon. Prime Minister, on 16 May 2014 during the celebration of the World Telecommunications and Information Society day in Port-Vila.

The documentary film captures the story of the Rensarie UAP Broadband Pilot Project, i.e. the implementation, development, impact and contribution of Broadband Internet on the social, economic, educational, health and personal development in rural areas. The film demonstrates and shares the lessons learned, the success and challenges experienced in this project which were used by OGCIO to support development of the Government’s Universal Access Policy.

This film (in English language) is intended to be used for national, regional and international television viewing as well as for distribution to other Regulators, Government bodies, Policy Makers and NGOs. This documentary is a production of MALCO Productions a small Ni-Vanuatu owned business.

TRR wishes to thank and acknowledge all stakeholders involved in the Rensarie UAP Broadband Pilot Project for their invaluable support, assistance and contribution.”

Watch the Documentary Film

Details

New Interconnection Agreement Between TVL and DIGICEL

It is a requirement under Section 26 the Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulation Act that service providers enter into interconnection agreements in order to allow them to access to the other’s network.

Since the liberalization of the telecommunications market in 2008, Telecom Vanuatu Limited (TVL) and Digicel (Vanuatu) Limited are the two major service providers that are providing telecommunications services and for which an interconnection agreement between them is essential for fair competition to occur.

An Interim Interconnection Agreement between TVL and Digicel was signed for the period 25 June 2008 -25 June 2010. That was replaced by an Interconnection Agreement between TVL and Digicel which was negotiated and executed on 8 June 2012. This interconnection agreement became effective as of 26 June 2012 and will expire on 26 June 2016.

On 1st of April 2014, the two operators negotiated and executed a new interconnection agreement, without referral to TRR, and that is now in force. The agreement was then amended on 16th July 2014.

Details

A new Dawn in Education - ICT enabler

Responding to an unprecedented nationwide demonstration of interest and enthusiasm, the government of Vanuatu is set to announce the first candidates to receive ICT access, computer labs and tablets for schools throughout the country.


The Government’s Chief Information Officer, Mr Fred Samuel said “we received hundreds of applications, and now we have responded to them. The Government is proud to support this work; and we haven’t seen unity of purpose and commitment like this since independence. We have a long road ahead of us, but the first steps are critical, and it’s great to get started. We thank the Ministry of Education, Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulator (TRR) and the Australian Government, through its Governance for Growth (GfG) programme for its support and contribution”.

Details
  1. Invitation to Quote Telecommunications Market Database Application
  2. Consumer Awareness to all users of Telecommunications
  3. 2014/15 UAP Levy Assessment
  4. Decision on new Prescribed Fees for Radio Apparatus Licences
  5. Determination on UAP Broadband Speed Provisions
  6. Decision 01 of 2014 - Decision on Planning for the 700MHz Band in Vanuatu
  7. Skycloud Networks Telecommunications Licence revoked
  8. Second Consultation on Annex 2 of Order 2014
  9. Request for Proposal – UAP Computer, Electrical goods and services
  10. Decision 03 of 2014 on the Fixed Service (Microwave) Spectrum Band Planning

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