1. Research Needs and Outputs Telecommunications Policy and Regulation Presented by: Michelle Grell The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago Research Needs and Outputs Telecommunications Policy and Regulation Presented by: Michelle Grell The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago 2008 DIRSI Stakeholder Meeting 4 th March 2008

2. 2 Overview  Introduction to TATT Mandate Regulatory Objectives  Research for Telecoms Policy and Regulation Different Types of Research Requirements Recent Research Initiative: Digital Divide Survey Challenges  Current Research Needs and Priorities

3. 3 Introduction to TATT

4. 4  “… to guide the sector’s transformation from virtual monopoly, in which Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago is the principal provider of telecommunications services, to a competitive environment,  to monitor and regulate the sector so transformed and, in particular,  to prevent anti-competitive practices.” - Preamble in Telecommunications Act TATT’s Mandate

5. 5 Regulatory Objectives  Framework must facilitate the achievement of the Act’s Objects: To create conditions for fair competition To facilitate the orderly development of telecommunications To encourage investment and innovation in the telecommunications sector To promote and protect the interests of the public prices, variety and quality of service To promote universality

6. 6 Research in Telecoms Policy and Regulation

7. 7 Stage Objective(s) of ResearchSource of Data or Research Material Identifying Stakeholder Needs To determine the extent to which: persons access service prices are affordable customers are satisfied with quality and variety of services offered there are barriers to entry there is anti-competitive behaviour in the market place resources (spectrum, numbers) are being used efficiently Consumer or Service Provider Complaints Surveys Stakeholder Dialogue Research in Telecoms Policy and Regulation

8. 8 Stage Objective(s) of ResearchSource of Data or Research Material Assessing Existing Market Conditions Is regulation required? To set service standards To set broadcast content standards To set prices To prevent anti-competitive practices To facilitate universality Market studies and reports based on data collected from service providers: Subscriber Take up, Revenue generation, Traffic usage, Market Shares, Investments made, QOS parameters, ICT Indicators International and regional market studies and reports for comparative analysis Choosing the appropriate strategy and/ or mechanism What is the best strategy or mechanism to achieve objectives? Publications or Internal Documents from other regulatory agencies: Regulatory Approaches Benchmarking Data ITU Recommendations Databases, Journals, Periodicals Tech. Reports and Magazines Research in Telecoms Policy and Regulation

9. 9 Stage Objective(s) of ResearchSource of Data or Research Material Review and Assessment of Policies and Regulations How effective is the regulatory framework? Penetration and Usage Revenue generation and Investment Performance of Providers against standards Measurement of other key ICT Indicators Market studies and reports based on data collected from service providers International and regional market studies and reports for comparative analysis Research in Telecoms Policy and Regulation

10. 10 Recent Research Initiative  Survey conducted to measure and compare the ability of persons to access ICTs in Trinidad and Tobago  Results of Survey to inform strategy for achieving Government’s Universality Policy objectives and targets.  Indicators Used: Digital Access Index (DAI) Digital Opportunity Index (DOI) DOI_Alternate (DOI_ALT) To prevent skewing of results due to particular local circumstances pertaining to ratio of mobile broadband Internet subscribers to mobile Internet subscribers DOI_ALTDOIDAI 0.560.63 0.5 (2006) 0.67 0.53 (2002)

11. 11 Digital Assessment Methodology  Primary data to calculate the DAI and DOI was collected through a 2- tiered national survey Service provider survey All the major service providers (fixed, mobile, internet) Specialized public agencies: NALIS, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Community Development Household survey Trinidad and Tobago divided into 585 communities (518 in Trinidad and 67 in Tobago) using information from Central Statistical Office (CSO). A random sample of 20 communities were drawn representing the total population. 6,000 households were surveyed

12. 12 Challenges  Available benchmarks may not be suitable to the local environment  Limited availability of publications on regional policies and regulations for certain topics e.g. Universal Service Funding Mechanisms and Obligations, Broadcast Regulation  Limited availability of recent regional market data  Data from service providers are not always readily available in the required format, or submitted in a timely manner  Some of the data required for recognised ICT indicators are not always readily available or recent  Resource Constraints

13. 13 Research Needs and Priorities

14. 14 Research Needs and Priorities  An assessment of the local telecommunications and broadcasting environment to measure the impact and effectiveness of liberalisation and regulation to inform regulatory framework The extent to which services are affordable, accessible, meet consumer needs and acceptable quality of service standards  An assessment of competition in liberalised markets to determine the extent to which additional providers are required (e.g. mobile market)  Assessment of local broadcasting needs to inform the formulation of the Broadcasting Code

15. 15 Research Needs and Priorities  Regional Repository or Database Policies and Regulations ICT Indicators Data for Benchmarking purposes  Collaboration and Information Sharing among relevant national and regional agencies

16. 16 The End