Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) is extending the submission deadline for the Universal Access initiated Information & Communications Technology(ICT) programs from Friday 20th of June 2014 to 18th of July 2014. The deadline has been extended due to feedback that applicants need more time to discuss, plan and complete their application forms; particularly those in rural and remote areas.
We sincerely thank those applicants who have provided their submissions on time. However, TRBR acknowledges and recognizes the great disparity in services that exist within each of the six provinces of Vanuatu, which will disadvantage some potential schools, communities and businesses as applicants, from others. The overall core objective of the Universal Access Policy (UAP) initiative through these programs is geared towards provisioning of universal access to and rollout of, telecommunication services coverage to 98 percent of the population throughout Vanuatu.
For fairness, equity and balance, and to ensure that everyone is given a realistic and practical opportunity to apply, as well as ensure the Government’s UAP objective is met, TRBR is seeking to obtain as many grant application submissions as possible, throughout the country. That is why we have decided to extend the submission deadline to 4:00 pm on Friday, the 18th of July 2014. All applications must get to TRBR office before that final deadline. The extension will also provide an opportunity for those communities in the very remote areas, who are desperately in need of such service, but are not able to submit an application merely because of its short time frame deadline that has to be met.
Given the additional extension, TRBR encourages that all interested schools, communities and businesses ensure that they thoroughly understand the criteria outlined in the application forms and contact TRBR office if they require any support in filling the forms, or to seek any further information.