Minister of Public Administration … 1 The Government of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago Ministry of Public Administration NATIONAL BROADBAND PLANS: POLICIES, TECHNOLOGIES AND

5/8/2012

1

The Government of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago

Ministry of Public Administration

NATIONAL BROADBAND PLANS:

POLICIES, TECHNOLOGIES AND

REGULATION

The Honourable Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan

Minister of Public Administration

http://www.mpa.gov.tt

April 18, 2012

� Regional Context

� Overview of Trinidad & Tobago;

� T&T National Broadband context;

� Current Status of T&T ICT Sector;

� Legal and Regulatory Reform

� Draft National Broadband Plan

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

5/8/2012

2

THE IMPORTANCE OF

CONNECTIVITY



PRIORITIZING BROADBAND

� Connectivity (Broadband) increasingly viewed as a basic

public service, along with potable water, electricity, etc.

� Broadband is an economic game changer:

– “for every 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration

we can expect an average of 1.3 per cent additional

growth in national gross domestic product (GDP)”

� The World Bank

• The ITU has therefore prioritized connectivity:

� Connect the Unconnected by 2015

� Broadband Commission

5/8/2012

3

PPP-adjusted GDP per Capita, 2010 ($USD)

Growth of Real GDP per Capita (PPP-adjusted), CAGR , 2000-2010Note: Aruba not included in averageSource: EIU (2011), authors calculations

Prosperity PerformanceCaribbean Countries

Unweighted Average: 4.45%

Unweighted Average: $10,290

Caribbean countries

Other Latin American countries

Antigua & Barbuda

Aruba ($138,146)

Bahamas

Barbados ($64,730)

Cuba

Dominica

Dominican RepublicGrenada

Guyana

Haiti

Jamaica

St Kitts & Nevis

St Lucia

St Vincents & the Grenadines

Suriname

Trinidad and Tobago

Belize

Nicaragua

Costa Rica

Guatemala

Panama

Venezuela

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Chile

ColombiaEcuador

Honduras

Mexico

Paraguay

Peru

Uruguay

$0

$5'000

$10'000

$15'000

$20'000

$25'000

$30'000

0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12%

CONNECTING THE CARIBBEAN

� Many Caribbean States share a number of common

characteristics:

� Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

� Physically separated but committed to integration into

one Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

� This community of interest has led to the “Connect the

Caribbean” sub-set of the Connect the Americas

initiative.

� ICT is a critical tool to bridge Caribbean divides, unite

communities and deliver regional services

5/8/2012

4

OVERVIEW OF TRINIDAD &

TOBAGO



5/8/2012

5

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO IS …

� A Small Island Developing State (SIDS);

� A Westminster-style Parliamentary Democracy:

� The President is Head of State;

� The Prime Minister is Head of Government, leading a

Cabinet, appointed from Members of Parliament;

� A Bicameral Parliament comprises a 41-seat House of

Representatives and 31 seat Senate;

� The Judiciary, headed by the Chief Justice, comprises the

High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeals;

� A member of, inter alia, CARICOM, the Commonwealth, the ACP

Group of countries, the OAS and the United Nations.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: QUICK FACTS

� Area: 5,128 km2 (1,980 miles2)

�Trinidad: area: 4828 km2 (1864 miles2)

�Tobago: area: 300 km2 (116 miles2)

� Population: 1.3 million (approximately)

�Trinidad: 1,250,000

�Tobago: 50,000

� Official language: English; First official foreign language: Spanish

� Major Religions: Roman Catholic 26%; Other Christian 26%; Hindu 22%; Muslim 6%

� Diverse Population:

Indian African Mixed Other Unspecified

40% 37.5% 20.5% 1.2% 0.2%

5/8/2012

6

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO ECONOMY

Leading Caribbean producer of oil and natural gas

�Heavily dependent on Energy Sector:

� Responsible for 40% GDP and 80% Exports

� Major downstream energy-sector:

�Methanol (#1 exporter from single site; #1 Exporter to USA)

�Ammonia (#1 Exporter from a single site; #1 Exporter to USA)

�Urea

�Iron and Steel

� Employs only 5% of the Labour Force

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO ECONOMY

�Significant supplier of manufactured

goods (food and beverages; cement etc.) to

Caribbean region

� High priority placed on economic

diversification and sustainable

development

� ICT is one of the key sectors identified for

development

5/8/2012

7

BROADBAND:

THE T&T NATIONAL CONTEXT



FROM CARIBBEAN CONNECTIVITY…

5/8/2012

8

Fixed Network Coverage

Columbus Cable Network in TrinidadColumbus Cable Network in Trinidad

5/8/2012

9

Wireless Broadband Coverage

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

STRATEGY

� ICT is integral to T&T’s National Development Strategy:

� Key Sector for economic growth & diversification

� Critical tool to improve national competitiveness

� Cross-cutting enabler for sustainable development

� ICT specific developmental “Pillars”

� Connecting Trinidad & Tobago and Building the New

Economy

� More diversified and Knowledge-Based Economy

5/8/2012

10

NATIONAL CONNECTIVITY AGENDA (2003)

� Objectives of T&T’s National Connectivity Agenda:

� To provide all citizens with Internet access;

� To focus on the development of children, and adult

skills to ensure a suitable solution and a vibrant future;

� Promote citizen trust, access and interaction through

good governance;

� Maximize the potential within all citizens, and

accelerate innovation, to develop a knowledge based

society.

NATIONAL ICT STRATEGY (2003)

fastforward

� Launched at same time as WSIS Phase I

� Focused on Connectivity.

� Objectives:

– Liberalization of the Telecommunications Sector;

– Connectivity to homes and citizens;

– Connectivity to business houses;

– Connectivity of Government Agencies

– Connectivity schools and libraries;

– ICT Skills Development

– Development of an ICT Industry.

5/8/2012

11

Number of Operators in the Market

Network Category Service Provided Operational

Concessionaires

International Telecommunications Facilities only 1

Facilities and/ or

Services

8

Mobile Telecommunications Mobile Voice and

Internet services

2

Fixed Telecommunications Fixed Telephony 2

Fixed Internet 7

Subscription TV (Pay TV) 9

Free to Air Radio Broadcasting 37

Free to Air Television Broadcasting 9

Fixed Voice Penetration

25.1 23.6 24.1 23.2 22.3 22.2

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Fixed Line Penetration Rate by Population

Fixed Line Penetration Rate by Population

77.4

71.5 73.370.1

67.5 67.4

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Fixed Line Penetration Rate by Household

Fixed Line Penetration Rate by Household

5/8/2012

12

Mobile Voice Penetration

28.0

40.6

71.6

117.0 115.9

138.0 141.1 143.8138.6

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Mobile Penetration Rate

Mobile Penetration Rate

Subscription TV Penetration

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

27.030.1

38.340.7

44.047.5

52.3 52.1

54.73

Subscription TV Penetration per 100 households

Subscription TV Penetration per 100 households

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

7.28.0

10.210.8

11.612.5

13.7 13.614.25

Subscription TV Penetration per 100 individuals

Subscription TV Penetration per 100 individuals

5/8/2012

13

Fixed Internet Penetration

6.38.7

11.1 13.0 15

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Fixed Internet Penetration Rate per 100 of population

Fixed Internet Penetration Rate per 100 of population

4.9

21.4

40.1

46.6

53.1

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Household Fixed Internet Penetration

Household Fixed Internet Penetration

Broadband Penetration

36

45

52

-

10

20

30

40

50

60

2009 2010 2011

Broadband Internet Household Penetration

Broadband Internet Household Penetration

5/8/2012

14

BROADBAND AND

THE NATIONAL ICT PLAN 2012-2016

� Launched a Consultative Process for

the development of the National

ICT Plan:

� Focused on creating opportunities

for people and business and

improving the quality of life.

THE NATIONALBROADBAND STRATEGY

� Draft Broadband Strategy prepared by the

Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad &

Tobago (TATT) (2011)

� Several Ministries collaborating on ensuring

alignment of national broadband agenda with

National ICT Plan

� World Bank engaged to advise Government on

Broadband

5/8/2012

15

BROADBAND DEMAND:

A FEW CONSIDERATIONS

� Broadband - A key enabler for Innovation

� Shifting from connectivity to uptake

� local digital content;

� software development;

� New opportunities for creative industries (entertainment,

music, film, etc.)

� Open Data Initiative

� e-Commerce:

� Allow for affordable e-Commerce Platforms while

� Ensuring Information Security and Privacy

� Promoting MSME development

National ICT Agenda

ttconnect hotline

Data Centre

Foundation Service Infrastructure

e-BirthCertificate

TTBizLink / SEW

e-TaxAdmin

Vehicle/Drivers’

e-Licensing

Finance /e-Procurement

e-Education e-???e-Health / HIMS

e-BusinessRegistratio

n

Service Oriented Platform Middleware

E-Services & Sectoral Transformation

PopulationRegistry

BusinessRegistry

LandRegistry

Authentication (single sign-on) (Unique Identifier)

e-Payment / e-Forms / e-Transactions

Data Centre

GoRTT Communications Network (GovNeTT)

Unified Portal FrameworkUnified Portal Platform

Immigration/e-Passport

Info

rma

tio

n S

ecu

rity

(Se

curi

ty C

on

tro

ls,

Aw

are

ne

ss &

Au

dit

s)

Enablers / Support Services

Monitoring & Evaluation

Change / Adoption

Management

Policy & Legislation

Governance

Marketing & Awareness

Capacity Building

Business Process

Re-engineering

Connectivity

Uptake & Usage

Innovation

T&T e-Government Framework

30

5/8/2012

16

BROADBAND AND LEGISLATIVE AND

REGULATORY REFORM:



Reform

Legislative and Regulatory Frameworks

� Objectives:

� Discourage destructive competitive behaviour

� Encourage investment, innovation, and consumer confidence;

� Shift from Licensing and ex-post reactionary regulation to Market

Supportive mix of frameworks that support innovation in service

delivery

� Expected Outcomes:

� Build-out of Capital Intensive Infrastructure nationwide;

� Improved Quality of Service (Global Standards);

� Expanded range of service offerings

5/8/2012

17

ISSUES

�Convergence.

�Effective and Efficient spectrum management

�Full Competition (encouraging new entrants to the

market);

�Open Access: Interconnection and shared facilities

�Number portability

�Consumer Protection (Quality of Service: Dispute

Resolution; establishment of more stringent administrative

penalties for non-compliance; etc.)

�Universality:

Work in Progress

�Legislative Framework:

�Short term: Amendments to

ecourage investment.

�Medium Term: Complete

review and revamp aligned to

new policy agenda.

5/8/2012

18

Work in Progress

• Regulatory Frameworks:

• Interconnection

• Access to Facilities

• Spectrum management

• Numbering Plan

• Pricing

• Accounts separation

• Information Requirements for Providers

• Quality of Service

• Universality

e-LEGISLATIVE REFORM

Legislation Status

e-Transactions ActAssented to 2011; partially proclaimed 2012

Data Protection ActAssented to 2011; partially proclaimed 2012

Audit and Exchequer ActAmendments being drafted

e-Payments LegislationIn preparation

Cyber-Security LegislationUnder development as part of the national

Cyber-Security Agenda

5/8/2012

19

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO:

DRAFT NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN



T&T Conceptual Network Topography

5/8/2012 Free template from www.brainybetty.com 38

5/8/2012

20

� Draft Broadband Plan under consideration

� Proposed Targets

� By 2014: minimum of 5 Mbps to all citizens.



� Targeted capacities already available on wired networks.

BROADBAND TARGETS

BROADBAND CONSIDERATIONS

� Objective: 100% Broadband coverage in T&T

� Public Private Partnership (PPP) :� approach preferred involving public and private funds

both foreign and private.

� 3 separate PPP Projects:1. Submarine cable landing station (both International and

Tobago) including carrier hotel;

2. Open Access Backbone Network (wholesale broadband

provider)

3. Access Networks

5/8/2012

21

BROADBAND CONSIDERATIONS

� Solutions (incentives and

regulations) to encourage cross-

sector infrastructure sharing

�In the Pipeline:�Working with existing providers to

establish a National IXP

�Possible introduction of a third mobile

provider to bring advanced technology

to market (e.g. 4G Technology)

UNIVERSALITY

� Universal Service Fund to be managed by

the independent Regulator (trend in the

region)

� Currently: Surplus funds from TATT

� Finalization of the Universality

Framework

� Governance Framework .

� Providers to fund USF:� Contribution to USF will be from 0.5-1.5% of gross

revenue

5/8/2012

22

UNIVERSALITY

�Priority uses :

1.Connecting unserved and underserved

areas

2.Connecting community access centers

3.Providing access for special needs

groups, including the differently abled

and young entrepreneurs

No. Proposed InitiativesProposed Timeframe for

Implementation

1

Establishment of a broadband backbone network for core, sub-tended core and inter-island transmission capacity.

Short Term: within in next 1 – 3 years.

2Exploration of new submarine cable system, a second landing point and carrier hotel.

Medium to Long Term: next 3 – 7 years.

3 Broadband satellite service capacity.Short Term: within in next 1 – 3 years.

DRAFT BROADBAND PLAN 1/2

5/8/2012

23

No. Proposed InitiativesProposed Timeframe for

Implementation

4

Development of an incentive regime:

•Incentive regime based on level of investment

•Waiver of spectrum and licence fees

•Removal of duty on smart/handheld devices

Incentives for development of mobile applications

Almost immediately

5

• Investment encouraged in three areas:

• External connectivity

• Domestic connectivity

• Last mile

Short Term: within 1 – 3 years

DRAFT BROADBAND PLAN 2/2

CONCLUSION:

THE WAY FORWARD

For T&T and other Caribbean SIDS:

–ICT is a CSF for sustainable development

–Broadband is a CSF for ICT uptake

ICT (and Broadband) rollout in the Caribbean:– Collaborative approach by Government; Private Sector and

Civil Society

T&T and the Caribbean therefore places a high

priority on creating the necessary enabling

environment to encourage:�ICT Infrastructure development

�Attracting Investment (Domestic and Foreign)

�Foster ICT uptake and Innovation

5/8/2012

24



Documents

Minister of Public Administration … 1 The Government of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago Ministry of Public Administration NATIONAL BROADBAND PLANS: POLICIES, TECHNOLOGIES AND