London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Jul 06, 2025

TRC updating licensing terms as telecoms providers seek renewal

TRC updating licensing terms as telecoms providers seek renewal

As the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) reviews applications from local telecoms providers seeking to renew their license to operate in the BVI, the Commission has announced that it will make several amendments to the terms and conditions of its licensing agreement.

The TRC said in a statement dated December 30 that the renewal of any telecoms licence will be based on new terms and conditions that reasonably reflect the changed circumstances of the telecommunications sector in the Virgin Islands.

For instance, a telecoms provider’s licence is typically valid for 15 years but the Commission is proposing to add a provision that allows for a five-year review of the licence and compliance with respective obligations.

The terms and conditions will also be amended to ensure that licensees administer their business from local premises, provide the licensed services, notify the Commission of proposed mergers.

“Obsolete provisions like the requirement to install and maintain a public payphone and the obligation to produce a printed directory are being removed from the licence. Overall, the proposed amendments to the Unitary Licences have been guided by the changes in the circumstances of the telecommunications services industry in the British Virgin Islands,” the statement said.

The TRC said the existing Unitary Licences that are now up for renewal were first issued in 2007 when the telecoms sector in the Virgin Islands was moving from a monopoly environment to a more diverse and competitive market.

“Voice telephony services, both fixed and mobile, were the most critical services for consumers and much of the regulations in the Licences reflect that status. Notwithstanding this, the Licenses were modified from time to time since 2007, yet the basic terms remained unchanged,” the statement read.

Needs of consumers have changed


However, the regulatory body noted the needs of consumers since 2007 have shifted. Therefore, the type of service provided should be befitting of the current circumstances, it argued.

According to TRC, the most critical services are now broadband internet access services.

“The incidences of extreme weather events have increased – a trend, which is expected to continue and, as such, network resilience and the ability to recover from damage caused by those events is expected to be paramount. In an increasingly connected and inter-connected world, the need for protection of privacy, data protection, and cyber security has also grown in importance,” TRC added.

The Commission will also give the applicants and any third party with a legitimate interest, not less than 30 days to comment on or object to the proposed directive. These comments must be filed to the TRC before February 14, 2022.

There will also be a hearing on March 1 by the regulator at Maria’s by the Sea where applicants and qualified third parties can also voice their comments. However, participation in the hearing will be limited to those who submitted the relevant comments and objections before February 14.

What the Premier said


In April of this year, Premier Andrew Fahie had announced that the regulatory body is being proactive and negotiating licenses that will expire in 2022. The Premier said the main criteria in the negotiations were reliable, affordable, and accessible telecommunications which are critical for doing business in the digital age.

Fahie noted it was imperative telecoms providers could provide this service as the government has and will continue to make investments into helping the Virgin Islands become one of the top digital economies in the world.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
×