December 23rd 2009
The Authority is inviting proposals for the design and administration of an organization wide employee opinion survey. The closing date for the submission of proposals is Friday, February 26th, 2010 at 2:00p.m. more
December 2nd 2009
The Authority has taken action against three(3) entities for offences under the Telecommunications Act 2001. more
November 27th 2009
Request for Proposals
For the
Design and Implementation of a Customer Satisfaction Survey.
The Authority is inviting proposals from suitably qualified organizations for the design and implementation of a Customer Satisfaction Survey.. more
November 13th 2009
The Authority will be hosting an ICT Open Forum on Wednesday 18th November 2009 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. The topic will be“Challenges faced in implementing and improving access to ICT’s in Trinidad and Tobago in an era of economic uncertainty.” more
September 23rd 2009
All of the Application Forms for Radiocommunication Licences have been modified. Please note that effective December 14th 2009, applications will not be accepted on any older versions of these forms.
August 3rd 2009
The Authority hereby advises the public that until further notice, no applications for concessions on a 'first-come-first-served' basis will be accepted. more
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. more
January 20th 2009 FINAL WARNING AGAINST USING SPECTRUM WITHOUT A LICENCE more
Calendar of Events
Public Advisory on Cell Tower Approvals
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