ICT
From The Report: Trinidad & Tobago 2018
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As Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago continues to expand its 4G LTE network launched under the bmobile brand in 2016, Digicel began the rollout of its 4G LTE network in early 2018, promising eventual island-wide coverage. However, local operations for the company are facing a potential consolidation phase over 2018 and 2019, as the group’s transformation programme mandates a global 25% reduction in its workforce. This trend of consolidation is anticipated to persist in other large companies, as operators introduce measures to advance their long-term strategies in pursuit of digital transformation. With a key sector development strategy already in place, the state aims to increase IT’s contribution to 5% by 2021, and as growth indicators in a number of segments are picking up, prospects for T&T’s ICT sector are positive.

This chapter contains an interview with Ronald Walcott, CEO, Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Digital transformation: Operators make strategic moves to achieve long-term objectives
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The telecoms and broadcasting sector in Trinidad and Tobago continues to have a positive outlook, despite market operators’ predictions of consolidation. Opportunities have presented themselves, allowing operators to make inroads in fulfilling long-term strategies on the course towards digital transformation. The downturn in economic growth has affected telecoms, and its contribution to GDP eased by 0.4 percentage points to 3.4% in 2017, or $758m in revenue, according to the 2018 annual…

Interview

A robust backbone: Ronald Walcott, CEO, Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT), on expanding the nation’s network
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Interview:Ronald Walcott How can mobile and landline internet penetration rates be increased in Trinidad and Tobago? RONALD WALCOTT: T&T’s mobile telephone penetration rates are among the region’s highest. However, this is not the case with mobile phone and fixed-line internet penetration figures, which are approximately 50% and 20%, respectively. In this light, the primary and overarching mandate of TSTT in the near future is to transform itself into an agile, broadband communications…

Overview

Enabling technology: A number of new regulatory measures are under way to ensure human capital development and technological advancement
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In March 2017 Trinidad and Tobago launched its Draft National ICT Plan 2017-21, known as fastforward II, which outlines the sector development strategy in line with the national development plan, Vision 2030. One of the principal objectives of the fastforward II programme is to increase ICT’s contribution to GDP to 5% by 2021. The entity responsible for carrying out the strategy is the National Information and Communication Technology Company, branded as iGovTT, which provides support to…

Analysis

Development strategy: The national ICT plan outlines government objectives
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In July 2017 Trinidad and Tobago launched its national ICT plan, fastforward II. This five-year initiative aims to support ICT growth through 2021 in parallel with Vision 2030, T&T’s longer-term development strategy. The government’s prioritisation is necessary to ensure T&T remains competitive in an increasingly digital world. Emerging economies with progressive ICT policies allocate 0.5-1.5% of GDP to ICT investment, with hardware, software and services receiving 50%, 30% and…