required policies and regulations. The consultants have since submitted their first set of draft policies and regulations to the Telecommunications Authority and the Ministry. These have been submitted to a second round of public consultation and include: authorization framework; interconnection and access; spectrum management and fees methodology. Subsequent policies and regulations will deal with quality of service among operators, consumer rights, universal access and competition policy. Certain stakeholders have criticized the process arguing that the time given for public comment is too short. A Request for Proposal (RFP) to provide domestic public mobile telecommunication services had been issued by the Telecommunications Authority in August 2004 with a deadline for response of 24 November 2004. Five companies were prequalified including Laqtel, a locally owned company, Digicel Trinidad and Cingular (which was subsequently acquired by Digicel). Only two companies Laqtel and Digicel, which had posted bonds, participated in the on-line simultaneous multiple round auction held on 23 June 2005141. The government received about US$ 3 million which was the reserve price for the spectrum. TATT subsequently recommended to the Minister that these two companies be awarded concessions. On 27 October 2005 the Cabinet agreed that concessions would be granted to Digicel and Laqtel. Both companies were keen to get interconnection agreements with TSTT so they could start offering service during the important Christmas season. Negotiations between Digicel and TSTT were particularly acrimonious with much of what was referred to as the “cell wars” being carried out in the local press and revolving around the availability of the required interconnection equipment in TSTT’s premises142. A RFP for concessions/licences for international telecommunication services was issued by TATT in November 2004. The number of licences to be awarded was not specified. Eleven companies143 submitted proposals by the cut off date of 10 January 2005. The Cabinet agreed with the recommendations of TATT to award five licences for the provision of international telecommunication services. In respect of cable television services five companies144 submitted applications for concessions. Existing licence holders were required to apply for concessions under the new Law. The Cabinet also agreed with the recommendation of TATT to award three licences. There is no limit on the number of cable TV concessions that can be awarded nor is there any time limit for applications to be submitted. The delay in implementing the sector reform program, in fully proclaiming the new law, in staffing TATT, and in licencing new entrants, especially in the cellular mobile market, had raised doubt in the minds of many local and international investors about the Government’s resolve in implementing an effective, new, competitive environment which satisfies the objectives of the 1997 Policy Framework. Trinidad Digicel acquired 2 x 5 MHz in the 800 MHz band and 4 x 5 MHz in the 900 MHz band while Laqtel got 2 x 5 MHz of 800 MHz spectrum and 2 x 5 MHz of 900 MHz spectrum. In total 4 x 5 MHz in the 800 MHz band and 16 x 5 MHz in the 900 MHz band was put up for auction. 142 See various press clippings in the Express, Trinidad Guardian and Newsday during the first weeks of November 2005. 143 Lisa Communications, Open Telecom, Iluminat, Digicel, Laqtel, Cable Company of Trinidad & Tobago, Astra Communications, Antel Communications, S4B, Antilles Crossing, and Island Fibre/Kelcom International 144 TSTT, Computer Technologies and Services Ltd., RVR Intl. Ltd., Independent Cable Network of Trinidad & Tobago and Columbus Communications, which acquired CCTT) 141
91