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TRC renews 15-year licences for telecom operators in VI

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) announced the renewal of four unitary licences on December 12, 2022, which enable the respective licensee to operate a telecommunications network and provide telecommunications services in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source/File
Chief Executive Officer for the TRC, Mr Guy L. Malone has said that it is indeed a proud moment for the Commission and the Territory to arrive at the culmination of executing the renewed unitary licences. Photo: TRC
Chief Executive Officer for the TRC, Mr Guy L. Malone has said that it is indeed a proud moment for the Commission and the Territory to arrive at the culmination of executing the renewed unitary licences. Photo: TRC
The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) is a statutory body responsible for regulating the telecommunications sector of the [British] Virgin Islands. The Commission is also responsible for promoting the development of telecommunications throughout the Virgin Islands (UK). Photo: TRC
The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) is a statutory body responsible for regulating the telecommunications sector of the [British] Virgin Islands. The Commission is also responsible for promoting the development of telecommunications throughout the Virgin Islands (UK). Photo: TRC
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) announced the renewal of four unitary licences on December 12, 2022, which enable the respective licensee to operate a telecommunications network and provide telecommunications services in the Virgin Islands.

The four renewed licences were issued to BVI Cable TV Limited; Cable & Wireless (BVI) Limited; Caribbean Cellular Telephone Ltd; and Digicel (BVI) Limited. The renewed Unitary Licences have been issued for a 15-year period, reflecting the prior term of their respective licences.

'Proud moment for TRC'- Guy L. Malone

Chief Executive Officer for the TRC, Mr Guy L. Malone has said that it is indeed a proud moment for the Commission and the Territory to arrive at the culmination of executing the renewed unitary licences.

“The staff at the Commission and the group of communications business leaders across the Virgin Islands believe in the incredible and unlimited importance of economic advancement of the Telecommunications Industry in the Territory,” Mr Malone said in a press release on December 20, 2022.

The CEO commended the team at TRC for their diligence and perseverance in seeing the process to completion. 

Article 3.2 of the 2007 Unitary Licences includes a provision governing each licensee’s right to apply for renewal by submission of a renewal application to the Commission no less than 12 months prior to the expiration date of its Licence term.

1st unitary licence renewal in VI history

Chairman for the Commission, Mr Vance M. Lewis said that he was proud of the Commission in this unparalleled undertaking.

“The respective companies all appeared ready to continue working hard to improve communications for the Territory during the next 15 years. This unparalleled undertaking with the operators, not only point us towards a future that is more prosperous, secure and transparent, but the ability to achieve it, as well, with the updated terms and conditions for our service providers,” said Mr Lewis.

This has been the first unitary licence renewal in the history of the Territory, and represents a momentous milestone occasion for the TRC and the Virgin Islands.

The year-long process involved in-depth review of applications, allowance for public comments, public hearings, compliance evaluations, and the revision of the terms and conditions of the unitary licences.

17 Responses to “TRC renews 15-year licences for telecom operators in VI”

  • WEW (20/12/2022, 16:01) Like (35) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow. Another 15 years of expensive, lousy service.
  • Can you hear me now? (20/12/2022, 16:02) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    And still the customer service from some of them sucks!!! Calling Flow used to be a nightmare, don't know if its still the same cause i closed my account and never went back.
  • bvi (20/12/2022, 16:17) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    It must be a slow news day today.
  • WHAT!!!! (20/12/2022, 16:28) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
    Over-priced, unreliable service and lousy customer-service from all of them and they get another 15 years !!!
  • vex (20/12/2022, 17:01) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a shame with the type of service we get
  • Mustsng (20/12/2022, 18:54) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Seriously. 15- years really. Telecommunications change quicker than the blink of an eye. TRC is less and not a forward thinking organization. Furthermore, the quality of telecommunication services is biotin dragging so why set terms at one and one-half decade. Did the HoA approve these terns? If so they too are true to form-Less.
  • tola (20/12/2022, 22:26) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    Horrible service and customer service and 15 more years crazy
  • vi (21/12/2022, 04:28) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is bull crap instead you tell all those Telecommunications service to drop there price and give the people better service u going give them 15 more years of bad service wow
  • next (21/12/2022, 06:05) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    TRC members should be investigated. C&W and Digicel been buying their lunch for years to get what they want.
  • PT09 (21/12/2022, 09:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Question is who is getting paid off?
  • starlink (21/12/2022, 09:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Starlink is working on service for our area for Q1 of 2023. Hope they get regulatory approval. That should bring some competition to get lower prices.
  • Why (21/12/2022, 12:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Still no 5g smh
  • wake up (21/12/2022, 13:48) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The trc sleep with their eyes wide open. You are helping these crooks to keep robbing us. We need another coi. Before you demand that those companies reimburse the people of the territory at the least a percentage of their monthly bills you quick to renew for another 15 years. Shame on you all
  • RedStorm (21/12/2022, 16:41) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    I don't know if to laugh or cry. 15 years, have you experience the services of both flow and Digicel. In certain areas the internet would spin like a top , working in the flash of light and in another it slow as a sloat. So I am guessing after next year I will cut out mines, no more internet.
  • Gift (22/12/2022, 22:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    THE greatest gift you can give the communities of the VI is to refund each person with a month free service for all the monies your system keep ripping off the customers. Net spinning like a top all over the VI yet you say we have 5G. Go take a seat please. The TRC need to go take a seat also. When will highway robbery end? Is it after this 15 years?
  • Hmm (23/12/2022, 08:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    CCT is the cheapest but their service is terrible everywhere except in town. like is town alone people living.
  • Hmmmm (25/12/2022, 20:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Membership has its privileges. TRC to review every five years. So they sit and do nothing with these carriers and just check in on them every five years and sit and collect a hefty salary for doing nothing. The British Virgin Islands will always be in problems.


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