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'Go Public with CCT decision' – Digicel tells TRC

- Digicel calls for transparency regarding TRC's decision to fine CCT for illegal use of LTE spectrum
June 27th, 2014 | Tags: Declan Cassidy TRC 700 MHz band LTE
Chief Executive Officer of Digicel Mr Declan Cassidy. Photo: VINO/File
Digicel calls for transparency relating to the illegal use of LTE spectrum by CCT. Image: TRC
Digicel calls for transparency relating to the illegal use of LTE spectrum by CCT. Image: TRC
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Digicel is publicly requesting that the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) of the Virgin Islands publish its formal written decision relating to its recent announcement that it had fined CCT $50,000 for "illegal and unauthorized" use of the LTE spectrum in the Virgin Islands.

“All Digicel has ever asked for in the BVI is for a level playing pitch between operators. These recent disclosures provide an opportunity for the TRC, as Regulator, to demonstrate its commitment to the basic principles of fairness, transparency and non-discrimination in the Telecommunications industry in the BVI. To this end, the publication of this important and controversial decision is certainly in the public interest," Digicel Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Declan Cassidy said in a press release today June 27, 2014.

According to an earlier release by Digicel on May 14 2014, the TRC had announced that it had decided to fine CCT US$50,000 for the illegal use of LTE spectrum. They alleged that the TRC publicly stated that “…After careful consideration and consultation conducted with reference to section 75(1) of the Telecommunications Act, 2006 (the “Act”), the TRC has determined that CCT breached section 20(1)(a) of the Act and, as a result, has imposed a fine on CCT pursuant to section 75(2)(b) of the Act in sum of US$50,000 (the “Fine”). Section 20(1)(a) of the Act provides that an authorization holder shall strictly adhere to its authorized frequency band(s). 

When this news site today June 27, 2014 called Digicel for further clarification on the press release, company officials said that they could not offer any further comment.

Quoting from the TRC statement, the Digicel release continued, “CCT is not and has never been in possession of a frequency authorization for the 700 MHz band. After receiving a complaint from another licence holder and carrying out its own tests on the identified spectrum, the TRC questioned CCT over its alleged use of the 700MHz band. Whilst CCT’s responses to the TRC’s written inquiries were initially unsatisfactory, CCT subsequently admitted its use of the 700MHz spectrum during February and March of 2014. CCT was provided with a written summary of the TRC’s preliminary findings and the proposed Fine and neither the findings nor the Fine were disputed by it”.

Digicel further recalled that on May 15, 2014, CCT robustly retaliated against the TRC by issuing a public statement in which it alleged that the TRC was fully aware that CCT had been engaged in installing LTE equipment and that they had been using LTE spectrum outside of a regulated formal approval and spectrum award process. "CCT also publicly stated that it had actually been privately awarded LTE spectrum by the TRC," said Digicel in the release.

“This claim is at odds with various public statements made by the TRC. Digicel believes that it is in the public interest that the TRC, as Regulator, clarifies these matters by publishing its decision,” Cassidy said in the release.

Mr. Cassidy said that Digicel has for a number of years made known its clear desire to provide LTE services in the Virgin Islands. 

He said that Digicel was the first operator to launch LTE services in the Caribbean region and is presently the leading provider of LTE services in the region. 

“Digicel has been advised by the TRC that the awarding of LTE spectrum will only be done on foot of a fair and transparent spectrum allocation process conducted in accordance with the law of the BVI and international best practice. Accordingly, it was of some considerable concern to Digicel to learn than an operator in the BVI had sought to completely circumvent this process illegally. Statements published on behalf of CCT defending its actions since the TRC announced its decision on 14 May have only served to amplify those concerns.” states Cassidy in the release. 

21 Responses to “'Go Public with CCT decision' – Digicel tells TRC”

  • virgin gorda (27/06/2014, 18:19) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    They have ndp to ptotect um
  • ANNOYED WITH DIGICEL (27/06/2014, 18:21) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    Digicel just put a sock in it and try answer your phones when person call. No-one cares to hear and automated service no matter how many times you press, 1, 2, 3, 4, then only to have another automated response with a set of other numbers to press.

    DO YOU NOT EMPLOYEE REAL PEOPLE!!!!!
  • wize up (27/06/2014, 20:21) Like (5) Dislike (27) Reply
    these whites come here to tell us what to do in our own country; what a shame !!!!!
    • Wise up you (28/06/2014, 05:24) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
      You should be ashamed of yourself with these ignorant racist comments. Do you hate all white people equally or do you hate some more than others? Are you a non discriminatory racist??? If this is the best contribution you can make to public debate then you should really keep quiet and shield your ignorance.
      • wize up (28/06/2014, 10:01) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
        Before you put your mouth in motion put your brain in gear: Digicel is a white owned company(thats a fact)...CCT is a black owned business, that is a fact(what those race have to do with the facts of the matter)....you sound like one of those persons that are afraid to stand-up because you think the white owned companies will leave the BVI...i say to you those white folk in the BVI will not leave the BVI anytime soon; these folk enjoys the tranquillity of the BVI, go bike riding, jogging, private clubs, walk around any hour of the day...these are things they can not do were they are from(have nothing to do with race)...dont get me started on the race factor in the BVI because when i miss my cell phone from my vehicle or the electronic equipment from my home it is usually a black person..i don’t see race i see colour..you are either black or white !!!!!! by the way; my mother is white(go talk that !!!)
        • Claptrap (28/06/2014, 12:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
          What absolute god forsaken nonsense. This was the sort of stuff the nazis used to come out with. Maybe we should send the whites to work camps somewhere? Would that make you happy? Wize up for sure.

          I don't see race I see colour...do you have any idea how pathetic you sound???
          • wize up (28/06/2014, 13:55) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
            some us blacks are more hostile to each other than the whites are to us...that is pathetic but it is true !!!
    • Yes (28/06/2014, 08:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      CCT user or one that invested with them, people with brain going to take over CCT so stay in your concern.
    • racist bigot (28/06/2014, 10:02) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      what a hateful thing to say. it is truly sad that you cannot see beyond skin colour. you are a disgrace and should be ashamed.
  • SHUT UP (27/06/2014, 21:20) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Shut up dingy smell!
    Racist
  • tretretrete (27/06/2014, 21:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    My comments never get posted
  • Digicel supporter (27/06/2014, 22:05) Like (7) Dislike (10) Reply
    Hey Digicel, I am a supporter for your better rates but you are in the business to make money not play politics. If you continue down that route you will end up loosing. You won your battle but remember that you are in a land that does not belongs to you so don't try to play with power when you are taking most of the money out of our country.

    That is my warning.
  • Forbidden Truth (28/06/2014, 06:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Racism exist in theVI regardless of how many black,white,filipino,dominicano friends you have or slept with.
  • Gregra (28/06/2014, 06:56) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    What bunch a crap you (DS, SU and WU) talking. When you make laws they apply to everyone. There should be no preferential treatment for no one, non whatsoever. The body that regulate should do so in a transparent manner. Why should things be hidden at all? These insular, bad minded, racist people do sell the BVI as an unfriendly/hostile environment for investors because when legitimate queries are made the race card or insularity or discrimination card is quick shown. Have we not grown? Were we not begging for investors to come so people can get jobs? So why when they come and invest some believe they should not seek answers where preferential treatment is perceived. When any of you open a business and it appears that you're been treated with rigorous scrutiny while others slackened hands wonder what you gonna do?
  • Yes (28/06/2014, 07:38) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Relax oj you not getting CEO. You don't even realize what's going on in that place but by yr end I'm sure you will. Lol
  • VI Watcher (28/06/2014, 08:29) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    CCT \ investment club think they own the BVI. There is a Group of people in BVI who own the wealth and think the country should exist only to serve their own greed and their financial and private interests. These as the very same people who then go on line and post this racist nationalistic "we de BVI - outsiders out" nonsense every time someone dares challenge them. CCT broke the law; but seems like someone has muzzled the TRC. We need to shine a light into these dark corners.
    • wize up (28/06/2014, 11:52) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
      to vi watcher; so where the fu@$ you want them own if not the BVI...these guys are from the BVI-what is your point....I hope you are not a citizen of the bvi; its person like you will see the BV Islanders having to ride in the back of the bus !!!! the devil is a liar!!!!!
  • wize up (28/06/2014, 10:06) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    Digicel vex because CCT did it first; they want to run things here.....give our people a change; digicel already have millions and simply seeking to keep down the small BVI company and that is bad.....money will be the down fall of our current leaders(a bunch of sell-outs)....talk that ?????
  • Real Talk (28/06/2014, 22:10) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Digicel is racist
  • Keep Calm (29/06/2014, 14:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If anybody can be the best advocate of this SECTOR IS FRASER AND THE VIP
  • Gestapo (02/07/2014, 07:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    All this talk about race. Von Human Race oust different variation in colas. Heir Digicel you have all ove your country managers as White and Irish. You do not trust the making a local pipils a C.E.O because it is not the look jew want. So ya give the pipils some credit about race concerns yah. Now heir friend jew have to be a little quiet. Dont be so noisy about your thoughts. put von or two there and things vill be a little betar, ehhhh. wink wink.


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