As part of this policy, telecommunications service providers implement thresholds to prevent any customer from consuming excessive amounts of bandwidth to the detriment of other users. This ensures that all customers enjoy the benefits of the services they have subscribed to and that no subscriber is put at a disadvantage or suffers diminished network performance due to the unfair usage or conduct of others that can lead to network congestion.

Although the average customer’s data usage per month is currently 1.5GB to 2GB, telecommunications service providers worldwide set data thresholds that are much higher than this average monthly use.

For instance, telecommunications service providers in the USA and United Kingdom have data thresholds between 20GB and 32GB for their unlimited data services, with only 2 USA providers above 32GB.

This provides the customer with the freedom to use the additional data if the need arises without reaching the threshold. Only a very small number of customers may use data services inappropriately, so the large buffer between the average customer’s data use and the network’s per customer limit means that most customers will not be affected and the customer enjoys a service that would not put limits on his usage or an unlimited usage experience.

What can you do with 20 GB per month without reaching the threshold?
• 500 emails sent/received (with attachments) per week
• 300 web pages viewed per week
• 500 minutes of video streamed per week
• 21 hours of music streamed per week
• 3 games downloaded per week
• 3 apps downloaded per week
• 300 social media posts (with images) per week
Only a very small number of customers may use data services inappropriately such as using a mobile device as a hot spot or for tethering any other device (such as a computer, smartphone, other phones, eBook or eReader, media player, laptop, notebook, tablet, mobile hotspots, gaming consoles, or other devices with similar functions) which consume excessive amounts of data and will put these users at risk of reaching or surpassing a network threshold.

If a customer does not use a mobile device in this way, it is unlikely that the threshold will be reached.

In the event that a customer uses data that comes close to the threshold, telecommunications service providers worldwide reserve the right to take appropriate steps to ensure other customers are not affected by a diminished service. These include alerting the user by text when the threshold is almost reached, throttling back the service and/or charging the user for any excessive data use that is above the threshold.

Newsday understands Assistant Commissioner of Police Ainsley Garrick, who is in charge of Special Branch, is expected to be sent on leave. He will be replaced by Senior Superintendent Wendy Wilkinson who heads the Western Division.

Other changes made by Williams include Senior Superintendent Inraj Balram being sent on leave and Senior Superintendent Rawle Hercules being transferred to the Port of Spain CID. Superintendent Gallindeau has been elevated to the rank of Snr Supt at the Homicide Bureau. Senior Superintendent Anthony James will serve as acting Assistant Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner Harrikrish Baldeo will act as Deputy Commissioner.

Sources alleged Williams’ actions stemmed from an alleged conflict between Special Branch and an elite intelligence unit. It was revealed that a high-level meeting was recently held among the high-ranking officers during which there was a heated argument. Newsday understands the matter was reported to Williams. Lee is to be replaced by Wendell Williams who is in charge of the Port of Spain CID. The new person to fill the post at the Port of Spain CID is Ag Snr Supt Ajith Persad.

Contacted for comment, Garrick told Newsday he was not aware he was being sent on leave.

Efforts to reach Williams proved futile.

“As a professional service, we provide business solutions recognising that the country (has) challenges.

We have the capability to assist,” Dawkins Brown, the company’s managing partner for the Caribbean told the audience on Tuesday during the official launch at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre, St Ann’s.

The company recognises this country has a kind of resilience for growth despite going through some “choppy waters,” he said, but the country’s problems are not localised, and Crowe Howarth is an international firm, so it had the capability to leverage that global network to help its local clients.

He said small and medium enterprises will be able to access the firm’s services through a special pricing strategy that will be based on their existing structure and growth projections, and not just capital.

The company’s operations here will focus on knowledge transfer and human resource capacity building, borrowing from the international network to train local staff, he added.

Brown said he expected the two offices to have a staff of just over 40, with at least 30 per cent of that being recent university graduates who will also be able to access opportunities to work in other territories in which the company operates.

Also attending the launch were Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon and Port of Spain Mayor Joel Martinez, both of whom congratulated the company on its new local operations, saying it was a sign of economic growth and business confidence in the country.

The company will be ramping up its operations over the next four weeks, and has “integrated” local consulting firm Premier Consulting Group as its local partner. Brown said over the coming weeks the company will announce the core members of the local team.

Crowe Howarth is the eighth biggest accounting firm in the world. It operates in 130 territories including Caribbean markets like Jamaica, Barbados, Dominican Republic and Curacao.

Data is important as it has always been the backbone of the decisionmaking process and the viability of businesses depend on the quality of decisions made. The processes for oil and gas exploration, development and production generate large amounts of data and the volume of this data grows daily. Big Data analytics are expected to be fully utilised by the oil and gas industry in the future. Hopefully, this is a point not loss on all stake holders in this country.

According to a recent Reuter’s report, in today’s US shale fields, tiny sensors attached to production gear harvest data on everything, from pumping pressure, to the heat and rotational speed of drill bits. These sensors are leading Big Oil’s mining of so-called big data, with some firms envisioning billions of dollars in savings over time by avoiding outages, managing supplies and identifying safety hazards. The industry has long used sophisticated technologies to find oil and gas but only recently have oil firms pooled data from across the company for wider operating efficiencies. When oil traded at more than $100 a barrel, data analysis was an “afterthought” for most oil firms. However, with prices at about $47 a barrel, the efficiency aspect is considered far more important.

A 2016 survey by Ernst & Young examined 75 large oil and gas companies and found that 68 percent of them had invested more than $100 million each in data analytics during the past two years. Nearly three quarters of those firms planned to allocate between six and ten percent of their capital budgets to digital technology. Simple sensors already increase safety and savings by eliminating the need to send workers to rigs or production facilities to gather data. Automating drilling decisions can produce more consistent results by cutting out human errors. The driller is now able to focus his attention on the well and the performance and safety of his crews, as opposed to the manual manipulation of controls.

Occidental Petroleum Corp also uses an analytical tool to find the best design for hydraulic fracturing wells. A new version of the software analyses data on well completions and geology to recommend whether injecting steam or water would produce more oil.

Abhishek Gaurav, a petroleum engineer for closely-held Texas Standard Oil, said he uses big-data analytics to help his company choose which properties to explore. Using Spotfire, the same program utilised by Conoco Standard applies a combination of data science and petroleum engineering to rank asking prices for land based on a variety of completion, production and geological variables, such as the amount of sand that likely would be required to complete a well in a given formation. This technique has reduced the time needed for evaluating land parcels from weeks to hours, and resulted in better decisions.

Unfortunately, some of the information needed by oil firms is not very easy to gather or analyse.

Surveys and maps that companies use to acquire acreage for drilling, for instance, are often not digitised.

Older company data on wells may be unstructured or spread among suppliers using different storage formats, making integration and analysis a challenge. General Electric and its oil-and-gas unit are moving aggressively into the business of digitising industrial equipment for other firms, and have invested in large data processing centres for energy clients. GE sees huge potential for market growth: a company study estimated that only three to five percent of oil and gas equipment is connected digitally, and less than one percent of the data collected gets used for decision-making.

Clearly, we are entering a new era of unprecedented data availability, where digital trends are disrupting traditional business models. These trends have enabled the emergence of big data and advanced analytics, which is rapidly becoming a big industry.

There are four key applications that are emerging for big data in oil and gas companies – digital fields, predictive plant and drilling analysis, Remote operations and Reservoir modeling and seismic imaging. Research shows that “big data” can help to reduce costs, improve decision making and operational performance, achieve greater efficiencies and develop new business models with increased market presence and revenue. Assuming our oil and gas producers are at various stages of use of these new techniques our policy makers must examine how best they can contribute to increased efficiency. At the present gas and oil prices, all stake holders should exploit ways of lower costs and ensuring profitability in the oil and gas sector.

A ministry release said the reminder is in keeping with the Civil Aviation Act and the Civil Aviation Authority Regulations.

The public is reminded drones should not be operated in any open air function or over any mass public gathering.

They should not be flown at a height greater than 121 metres or 400 feet above the ground. They should not be operated in a manner that may endanger people or property.

They should also not be operated within five kilometres from any manned aircraft operations including the boundaries of the Piarco and the ANR Robinson international airports.

Asking the public to desist from operating drones in the Port of Spain area and other designated areas, the ministry referred to the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority website: https://caa.gov.tt/ unmanned-aircraftsystems- uas-drones/ which has listed the areas where drones should not be flown

PJ Williams, who is from Central Trinidad, was selected by Pan Am Badminton for Badminton Referee training in Canada last month.

He attended the Pan Am Junior Badminton tournament held in Toronto Canada along with representatives from Mexico and Argentina.

All three candidates were successful in exams set by Pan Am Assessors. They can now wear the official Red shirts which is reserved for Badminton Referees.

Williams now joins a list of nine accredited Referees who can be selected to officiate at the highest level of badminton in North, Central and South America.

His first assignment was the Carebaco Under 19 International held here earlier this month.

Williams, who has played badminton for the last 40 years, qualified as a Pan Am Umpire last year, becoming only the 4th international Badminton Umpire from Trinidad and Tobago. Since becoming involved in officiating, he has also tutored 16 new umpires for Trinidad and Tobago.

Yesterday, Subway and the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago held a recognition ceremony at the Centre of Excellence for the successful national junior swimmers.

Morean, who was a member of the 15 to 17 girls team said all the preparation leading up to the meet paid off. Morean said, “All the athletes would have worked extremely hard in preparation for these games, and as the saying goes ‘hard work breeds success.’ The respective coaches all pushed us and I make special mention of my club coach Mark Alexis of the Tsunami Swim Club.” Morean recalled the challenges the team had to overcome such as a sudden change in the start time of the meet. “Guyana to many of us taught us what it meant to adjust with the challenges that confronted us. For instance the meet was scheduled to start at 6 pm on the opening day, but suddenly we were told that the starting time was brought forward to 3.30 pm because there were no lights. Also the water in the pool was extremley hot at times.” Despite the challenges in Guyana, the 40-member TT team were resilient and finished with 105 medals to finish on top of the medal standings, followed by Suriname and Guyana.

Morean said it was an honour for her to be selected as the captain of the team. “It was indeed a memorable, fun-filled experience for me. This was my second time representing my country, but my first as captain, an opportunity I embraced.” Coach Sharntelle Mclean was proud of her team for their positive attitude in Guyana. Mclean said, “It was very intense for matters outside our control, but the swimmers remained focused and they had one target, one goal at hand and they definitely answered to that. The swimmers amidst all that they had to take on with regards to the sun, with regards to changes in events, changes in the schedule of the meet they were still able to focus. They were motivated to bring home the fourth title and for that congratulations to you definitely.” Morean and Mclean thanked all the supporters and sponsors that helped make their trip a success.

She declared, “Strong leadership is required to confront the challenges we face.” In her Independence Day Message to the nation, Persad-Bissessar said, “ There is a sense of hopelessness in the country, with thousands of citizens struggling to get by, having lost their jobs and only source of income.” She attributed this to, “another sharp decline in our economy.” Persad-Bissessar also said she was saddened that, “ our citizens continue to grapple with the scourge of crime and criminality.” She said lack of quality health care and recent cuts in education, are also cause for concern in TT today.

However in spite of all of these negatives, Persad-Bissessar believed the citizens of TT, “are capable of greatness in every area.” She was confident that, “we will soon be firmly back on track for further development. “ Persad-Bissessar said her goal and that of the Opposition remains improving the quality of life for the entire population.

She said the Opposition is currently, “developing policy proposals to build our economy, create sustainable jobs and to continue to develop our nation’s human capital.” Persad-Bissessar said these proposals include the development of a knowledge-driven diversified and growing economy in TT. She urged all citizens to play their part in rebuilding this country’s sense of patriotism and nationhood. Persad-Bissessar said it was incumbent on all people to build a society which is one of, “acceptance, tolerance and equality.”

The scheme is now subject to the final order of the Supreme Court of Jamaica.

Prior to the vote, Scotia Group held 77.01 per cent of the issued share capital of SIJL. The remaining SIJL shares were held by 2,750 SIJL stockholders, including insurance companies, pension funds and other investors as well as individuals.

Addressing shareholders following the vote at the Jamaica Pegasus in New Kingston– which was simultaneously video-linked for Trinidad and Tobago shareholders at Hyatt Regency in Portof- Spain–SIJL Chairman, Jeffrey Hall, said, “ I have a certificate provided to me by KPMG, so I’m able to confirm the resolution has been passed by the requisite majorities.” Hall continued, “That is to say, by a majority number of the shareholders who voted in person or by proxy. That majority is 83 per cent of the persons present and 99 per cent of the shares voted. As such, the resolution has been passed.” He added, “If the court sanctions the scheme at the hearing, it is expected that the scheme will become effective on that date or by the following business day.” SIJL minority shareholders in TT will, therefore, be paid the US equivalent of JA$38 per cancelled stock unit while their Jamaican counterparts have the option to receive payment in either Jamaican or US dollars. As of August 11, SIJL stock was trading at JA$35 in Jamaica and TT$2.20.

Reminding minority shareholders why Scotia Group had chosen to make SIJL one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Hall said, “Although Scotia Group and subsidiaries are making sure profits and expenses are properly allocated to relevant entities to which they are properly attributed, the fact that there are minority shareholders in SIJL has restricted SIJL from becoming fully integrated; from an operational standpoint, into Scotia Group.” Hall gave the example of “the movement of staff and other resources between SIJL and other Scotia Group entities” having been constrained in ways “that would not apply if SIJL were a wholly-owned by Scotia Group; thus placing a limitation on the ability of SIJL and Scotia Group to optimise their combined efforts.” Jamaica’s Supreme Court is likely to vote in favour of the scheme at the next hearing this September. Upon completion of the scheme, SIJL will cease to meet the listing requirements of the Jamaica Stock Exchange and the TT Stock Exchange. It will accordingly, make an application to de-list the SIJL shares from both stock exchanges.

Although the vote went as expected, two shareholders; one from Jamaica and one from TT, were critical of the JA$38 offer, saying that it should have been higher.

An outspoken Jamaican man said, “Nothing wrong with your offer, except determining the market price is not an exact science. I say throw a two dollar on it, round it off at $40 and we’ll stay with you.

(Otherwise) I say not submitting to $38. We vote no to $38, we want $40.” This view was echoed by Trinidadian shareholder, Haroon Husain, who said, “The price is somewhat low, particularly for shareholders who are from Trinidad.” “If you check the prices, SIJL has reached a high of TT$2.50, it’s currently trading at $2.20.

If you convert the JA $38 to TT, it comes to about TT $2.00 so I’m not too sure if you had considered the price rate in Trinidad in terms of your valuation. I believe you could have done much better for our 634 shareholders in TT,” Husain argued.

During my brief tenure within the halls of Government, I understood the importance of being present at said National events. However, what I did not understand was that the majority of office holders clearly did not recognise being present at these events to be of equal importance.

During my stint, I attended at least two Independence Day parades. At each of these, less than 25 percent of the Government ministers were present, with an even less showing from those who sat in the Senate, without portfolios.

The Heads of Government and State are both mandated to be present as they both accept salutations from the presenting troops on parade. This alone should be impetus to ensure a full gathering of officials, if not in support of your country’s milestone, surely in support of your Government or Head of State.

Whilst this may seem a small item in the larger scheme of things, it is a vital part of the maintenance and respect of our National traditions.

Even as I attended whilst outside the corridors of government, the representation of office holders has always been less than adequate or acceptable.

This occasion is one of those where we are brought together by the summoning of a greater good, where we set politics and all other separatist agendas to the side for the celebration of country. As such, a few other areas to be noted in keeping with the tone of the event include the recognition and respect of military precision and timelines.

If you are an invited guest to this event, it is imperative to ensure you arrive on time as the military does not recognise ‘Trini time’.

The parade and marching orders will not wait on anyone, and those whom the salutes are afforded, are provided with enough support to ensure they are in position. It is rather irritating and quite rude, to be seen arriving after the primary salute receivers have arrived.

The National Anthem of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is one of the most significant compositions to be played on this day. I have seen persons choose to continue walking or speaking or doing whatever they may have been doing whilst the National Anthem is being played.

The excuse sometime given is that they are not in the immediate proximity of the actual event.

Nevertheless, I urge, if not on any other day, do show respect for the National Anthem of the country of your birth. Even if you were with the many hundreds of citizens gathered on the periphery to catch a glimpse of the proceedings, set the example, and sing to the top of your voices, whilst observing the protocol attached to the Anthem.

This day brings families to the capital and many other major areas to participate in the ceremony.

Whilst it is understood that a high level of protocol and diplomacy is required in the undertakings of these parades, a certain measure of flexibility can be introduced, particularly when the parades enter the streets, and display their spectacle for the people.

All too often, I have seen unwarranted and poorly managed clashes between spectators and parade officials. Both parties must remember the reason for the occasion, to honour our Nationhood.