The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) will launch its first, large-scale broadband service in St. John’s Parish, Tobago, under the Universal Service Fund. This Broadband Infrastructure Project will bring reliable, affordable Internet access to residents of Parlatuvier, L’Anse Fourmi and Bloody Bay.
Residents of these communities will be able to subscribe to broadband Internet access services commonly available in well-served areas. Full access to government online services, the ability to work remotely, the ease with which information may be accessed to support educational endeavours, entertainment options, and other social benefits are among the benefits of this service.
The Honourable Farley Augustine, Chief Secretary, and Secretary for Finance, Trade and the Economy in the Tobago House of Assembly as well as Assemblyman for the Electoral District of Parlatuvier./L’Anse Fourmi/Speyside will deliver the featured address.
Mr. Cory Belfon, Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ministry of Digital Transformation, Mrs. Roberta Norman-Reverand, Director – B2C, Cable & Wireless Communications and Mr. Keyun Boatswain, Member of the Board of TATT will deliver remarks.
This initiative is significant in its purpose as it is a major step forward in providing reliable Internet access for persons, initially without service within the St. John’s Parish. The St. John’s Parish of Tobago was identified as an underserved area in the 2022 Digital Inclusion Survey.
This broadband infrastructure project was contractually implemented by the Internet provider Cable & Wireless Communications / Flow Trinidad. The launch of broadband service signifies a new era of connectivity for St. John’s Parish. Mrs. Cynthia Reddock-Downes, Chief Executive Officer, TATT states, “ By bridging the digital divide, we are not just providing Internet access, we are opening doors to a smarter future for everyone. This initiative empowers residents to unlock their full potential and actively participate in the growing digital economy.”
The availability, affordability, and accessibility of broadband Internet is the cornerstone of ICT-enabled socioeconomic development, and numerous nations have implemented vigorous initiatives to promote the construction of broadband networks and services.
According to the Telecommunications Act, Chap. 47:31, and the Telecommunications (Universal Service Regulations, 2015 (USR), the goal of the Universal Service Fund Broadband Infrastructure Projects is to guarantee the availability, affordability, and accessibility of high-quality broadband service in underserved areas.
Are there rural areas in Trinidad that are earmarked to benefit from this project? Toco and the various small villages along the Toco Main Road; Matura, Balandra, Rampanalgas, Cumana, on up to Mission, Grand Riviere etc are all without access to broadband internet via a fixed line connection. The residents, schools and small businesses depend on expensive and less reliable delivery via cell service. Would be interested in hearing what’s being done to encourage at least one major carrier to remedy that situation.
My understanding is that there are several areas earmarked for connection using the fund, but there has not been a great deal of enthusiasm by ISPs to take up the contracts that would deliver these projects. TATT cannot actually do the work themselves. I suspect that it might be more cost effective in the short term to improve the wireless broadband options that serve some of these remote communities, because wired connections are most cost effective when there are groupings of houses, which isn’t the case in many of the underserved areas.
[…] Trinidad and Tobago – The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) will launch its first, large-scale broadband service in St. John’s Parish, Tobago, under the Universal Service Fund. This Broadband Infrastructure Project will bring reliable, affordable Internet access to residents of Parlatuvier, L’Anse Fourmi and Bloody Bay… more […]