By Caribbean News Global contributor
CASTRIES, St Lucia – The government of Saint Lucia via the ministry of infrastructure, ports, transport, physical development and urban renewal on February 1, 2022, announced a new board of directors to govern the National Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (NTRC) for three years.
“ Pursuant to Section 7 (3) of the Telecommunications Act, Cap. 8.11, of the Revised Laws of Saint Lucia, Cabinet approved the request for the following persons”.
- Mary Polius – Chairperson;
- Oliver Lawrence;
- Gerry George;
- Dr Keith Mondesir; and
- Shanna Willie-Maturah.
As the Regulator, the Commission is directed by legislation as it pertains to the regulation of the telecommunications sector, including; Amateur Radio Operation, Dispute Resolution Regulations, Frameworks and Technical Standards, Interconnections, etc.
The functions of the Commission are to (a) advise the minister on the formulation of national policy on telecommunications matters with a view to ensuring the efficient, economic and harmonised development of the telecommunication and broadcasting services and radio communications of Saint Lucia; (b) ensure compliance with the government’s international obligations on telecommunications.
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The attention of the public and the NTRC board will come under scrutiny concerning the “ Termination of the use of Spectrum Kairi FM Saint Lucia.”
Moreover, the NTRC Annual Report, October 2016 to September 2017, executive summary, reads:
“In the operating year 2016/17, the Commission worked diligently in executing its mandate through its technical activity, the implementation of Universal Service Fund (USF) Projects, and through our administrative operations. Considerable effort and other resources were expended on addressing consumer disputes by developing more effective administrative and technical processes, organising meetings with relevant agencies to develop partnerships, and publishing notices on obtaining redress in locally circulated newspapers and on the Commission’s website. The remuneration and post classification guidelines/policy and broadband guidelines were completed, and work continued on some competition matters.
“The above-stated activity was undertaken together with other tasks such as correspondence processing, application review, database population, website updating, complaints investigation, conduct of research, public awareness activity, enforcement activity such as fee collection, monitoring of USF projects and monitoring of service providers’ operations inclusive of broadband services and voice services.
“This report will highlight the organisation’s accomplishments through the assiduous efforts of Commission’s staff members, supported by the Commissioners, in the current reporting period 2016/17.”
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