Minister of Science and Technology Dr Rupert Griffith revealed a number of these initiatives yesterday during his address at a seminar hosted by the Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute, titled “Building Competitiveness Through Innovation in ICT”, at the MovieTowne conference and banquet hall, Invaders Bay, Port of Spain.
Griffith said: “The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago will issue a tender for a third mobile provider before the end of this year, thereby providing more choice for consumers.
“In order to make the use of mobile phones less restrictive for consumers, TATT will introduce a number portability system, which will allow citizens to switch their mobile service provider without having to change their numbers. And you can also change your place of abode or place of business location without having to change your number.”
He added: “Essential to a policy of economic diversification, these ICT-based community access centres will add value to the communities they serve because they will be tailored to the needs of each community. In the first phase, six centres will be established in T&T, with an emphasis on training and access to ICT services. We will focus especially on those communities which lack basic ICT infrastructure, online access to Government services or even ready access to social services.”
Griffith said although the population of Trinidad and Tobago is estimated at 1.3 million, a report issued by TATT at the end of 2012 stated there are currently 1.8 million phone subscriptions. With statistics showing many people own more than one mobile device, a decision was taken to invite another mobile services provider to enter and serve the varied needs of the market.
The seminar also a featured presentation by International author, speaker and chief executive officer of the Medici Group, Frans Johansson.
In his closing address, Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie challenged participants to use their individual and collective powers of imagination to further innovation and thereby realise the vision of a more productive and developed society.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Nigel Telesford
Quelle/Source: Trinidad & Tobago Express, 04.06.2013
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