Business
Trinidad & Tobago telecom regulator intervenes as Digicel blocks VOIP apps on its network
The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad & Tobago (TATT) has requested Digicel to restrain from blocking customers from using third party Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) applications like Viber and Skype while it conducts an investigation into the matter.
Digicel had earlier this week informed customers that they would no longer be allowed to use VoIP applications over the company’s cellular network infrastructure. The move blocked customers from utilizing Viber and other services.
But in a statement issued late Tuesday night, the telecommunications regulator said that it had requested that “Digicel consider its position in relation to the provision of access to consumers such that all consumers in Trinidad & Tobago are treated equally in the interim period.
“Whilst the regulator has made no determination or decision in the matter, we believe that the maintenance of the provision of these services in the interim period would be in the best interest of all stakeholders and would allow the regulator time to engage in this process in a calm and constructive manner,” TATT added.
Digicel said it has “considered the authority’s request and welcomes the tone and spirit in which it was made. “Digicel is willing, in light of the regulator’s commitment to carefully review these matters in consultation with the industry, to accede – effective July 09 – to (TATT’s) request in the interim period whilst preserving its rights in relation to the matter generally.”
Digicel said that it has been engaged in discussions with TATT and has sought to relay its concerns relating to the use of these applications and the attendant impact they have on consumers in Trinidad & Tobago.
“Digicel shall continue to engage with the regulator and very much welcomes the opportunity that has been provided to communicate its position and concerns,” the company stated.
The other telecommunication company – the Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) said that while it would not comment on the Digicel decision to block VOIP services, it described the service as an “inescapable” feature of modern telecommunications that is comparable to “e-mail and games”.
Earlier, the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad & Tobago said it has so far received several complaints from Digicel customers over the issue and the matter will be raised with the cellular carrier.
“The regulator recognizes the concerns of both consumers and Digicel in this matter and would like to advise the general public we intend to raise these concerns with Digicel and seek clarification of these concerns.”
“The regulator is in the interim conducting its own investigation into the matter and on completion of its investigation will articulate its position and take any further action that may be required,” the release stated. -(CMC)