July 1st 2009

The Authority is inviting proposals for the design, engineering, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of an Integrated Security, Camera and Access Control System. The closing date for the submission of proposals is Friday 31st July 2009 at 4:00 p.m
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May 15th 2009
The Authority joined members of the ITU in celebrating World Telecommnication and Information Society Day on May 17th 2009
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l 29th 2009

April 14th 2009
Notice of Determination of Markets

The Authority has made a determination of the relevant markets for domestic fixed voice telecommunications services, for the purposes of Section 29 of the Telecommunications Act 2001.
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January 20th 2009
FINAL WARNING AGAINST USING SPECTRUM WITHOUT A LICENCE
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PUBLIC ADVISORY
CELL TOWER APPROVALS

Issued Jointly by
The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago
and
The Town and Country Planning Division, Ministry of Planning and Development

Members of the public have been expressing concerns about possible health hazards from exposure to Radio Frequency (RF) emissions, as a result of the increasing number of towers being erected for the installation of radio transmitting equipment for cellular services, close to homes and schools throughout the country.
 
The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT), the body responsible for licensing all radio-transmitting equipment used in Trinidad and Tobago has adopted the standards on safe RF emission levels established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States of America. TATT has mandated that all radio-transmitting equipment, including those controlled by mobile telephone companies in Trinidad and Tobago, be operated within limits imposed by these standards.

The FCC’s maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits to which people may be exposed, provide a substantial margin of safety and are well below levels generally accepted as having the potential to cause adverse health effects.

TATT has included these limits in the concessions and/or licences that authorize companies to operate in Trinidad and Tobago and will monitor RF levels on an ongoing basis.

The erection of towers constitutes development under the Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 35:01) and therefore requires the prior permission of the Minister responsible for town and country planning.

The Town and Country Planning Division (TCPD) has formulated a policy which includes site development standards and location criteria for the erection of towers. These standards regulate among other things, tower location, height and distance from buildings and residences (setbacks) and take into consideration the visual impact of these structures and their potential effect on residential amenity values. The policy also addresses the issue of towers constructed over the last two to three years without the necessary approvals.

Tower Approvals
To gain approval for the construction of new tower facilities, companies require relevant permissions from a number of agencies including TATT, TCPD and the appropriate municipal corporation or local government authority. As part of the approval process for new towers, companies are also required to invite objections from the public on towers to be constructed. These objections must be forwarded to TATT.  Companies also require approvals from the relevant agencies for towers constructed in the last two to three years which were not previously approved.

On receipt of an objection, TATT will address matters related to RF emissions. All objections received by TATT regarding the location of towers will be forwarded to the Town and Country Planning Division.

Conclusion
The Town and Country Planning Division, and TATT will ensure that companies comply with the stipulated parameters on an ongoing basis. Failure to comply with any of the relevant regulations by any party will result in enforcement action being pursued.
END