Number portability and WIFI for Tobago

This means customers could now change their service providers without having to change their telephone numbers. Speaking at the weekly post Executive Council media briefing on Wednesday at the Calder Hall Administrative Complex, Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Orville London said having met with the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT), some definite information has been received.

“I met with TATT earlier this week and we had a very interesting and informative discussion,” London said.

“Among the issues we discussed and got some definite information on, was the question of portability of numbers. We were given the assurance by the board and the executive manager that this should be in effect by the end of September.” The issue of coverage, according to London, was also discussed.

“There are various media providers who, I think, do not make any serious effort to provide coverage to a significant portion of Tobago.

We are aware that in some cases the terrains are challenging but the point about it is that we have a responsibility to make sure that the people of Tobago are not disadvantaged. Therefore we got a commitment from TATT and what we are going to be doing is have a minimum level of coverage if providers are going to guarantee that their license will be preserved.” Also discussed was the programme of providing WIFI in various areas of Tobago.

“The Secretary of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, who was at the meeting, indicated that they have been in discussion with TSTT and Digicel and those two providers have indicated that they would be providing free hotspots throughout the island in addition to the national programme, which is under TATT so that the division is supposed to provide a list of locations where you can get free WIFI either through TSTT, Digicel or through part of the national programme.

This should come on stream in weeks rather than months or years.”