Above: Lisa Agard. Photo courtesy TSTT.

Following crowds at Invader’s Bay this morning by potential customers attracted to an offer of $1 phones and laptops, Lisa Agard wrote to the Telecommunications Authority to query the status of the mobile provider Blue Mobile Network.

June 09, 2023
Ms. Cynthia Reddock-Downes
Chief Executive Officer
Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago
#5 Eighth Avenue Extension
Off Twelfth Street
BARATARIA

Dear Ms. Reddock-Downes

Re:
The Proposed Launch of the Blue Mobile Network on 9th June 2023 by a person purporting to have authorizations
Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (“TSTT”) writes on the matter at caption.

Throughout the day on 8th June 2023 all social media platforms commonly used by the public was inundated by a marketing blitz declaring the launch of a new product Blue Mobile Network. The notice advised that the entity was leveraging the network of an existing service provider. This suggests that this entity is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (“MVNO”) service. The marketing material refers to “STAR – The Blue Mobile Network” and an entity called Grapes Technology Group.

A company search indicates that there is a company called Grapes for a Good Life Ltd, with a related person as a director. In any event as TATT is aware, such a service and/or operation requires a Concession by virtue of section 21 of the Telecommunications Act, Chap 47:31. Section 21 (t) provides as follows:-
“No person shall operate a public telecommunications network or provide a public telecommunications service or broadcasting service without a Concession granted by the Minister.”

A diligent search by TSTT on the Authority’s website can find no reference to any of the entities names above as having been granted a Concession.
TSTT further takes the opportunity to remind the Authority that a breach of Section 21(t), is an offence under section 65(a) of the Telecommunications Act and that any person who violates that provision is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $250k and to imprisonment for five years.

Accordingly, TSTT can only surmise that this party is either:
a) Seeking to operate in direct contravention of the Telecommunications Act; or
b) Seeking to hoodwink the population in an attempt to extract money from an unsuspecting public.

In either instance, TSTT requests TATT act without delay to issue public notices in traditional as well as social media to forewarn the public of the illegal activities associated with this party.
We look forward to your prompt action in this regard.

Yours sincerely
(Signed)
Lisa Agard
Chief Executive Officer