Hefty fines, imprisonment for illegal broadcasters

THE Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) has advised unnamed FM broadcasters they could face up to five years imprisonment and substantial fines if they do not desist from operating outside their technical parameters and using unlicenced frequencies. This was disclosed by TATT executive director John Prince, in a public notice carried in Newsday on Saturday.

All FM broadcasters, the notice stated, operating their broadcast transmitters outside the technical parameters approved (ie transmit power, frequency stability etc) should immediately adjust their systems to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of their licence. Also, broadcasters using unlicenced frequencies for the use of any repeater Station(s) must cease transmission on these frequencies immediately. These broadcasters are in breach of Section 65 of the Telecommunications Act of 2001 and could face a fine of $250,000 and up to five years imprisonment. The authority advised FM broadcasters currently using licensed frequencies for repeater Station(s) to adopt other technical means for provision of national coverage on or before June 30.