WhatsApp & Skype blocking a matter for TRC to address- Hon Mark H. Vanterpool
The concerns in particular refer to at least two telecommunications companies blocking customers from using the WhatsApp calling feature. Customers of a particular company cannot access WhatsApp calls and Skype services utilising their data. They can only make or receive such calls when connected to Wi-Fi services.
The issue continues to be of concern for customers who have renewed their calls for government and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) to have the matter addressed. “I can’t understand why (name of company called) is doing this. As it is, they are bleeding us with their bills and charges and that is a free universal app that help to ease things on the small man’s pocket and (company name called) blocking us for using WhatsApp calls. Government must address this,” said Mr Marlon Creque as he urged this news site to further investigate the issue.
Several others supported Mr Creque’s concerns and said Government has a big say in this matter. However, during a discourse with the media on October 8, 2015 Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) said that is not a matter for him but for the TRC to address.
“I wouldn’t get involved in the intricacies of TRC,” stated Hon Vanterpool.
Matter didn’t require discussion at CTU level
It was put to the Minister by a local reporter whether or not the matter was brought up at the recent sitting of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s (CTU) regional conference on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Week 2015 which was held here.
Minister Vanterpool said that in his opinion the issue did not require discussions at the CTU level as there is a local regulatory body in the Virgin Islands. “We have a regulator here and it’s their responsibility to ensure that does not happen and if it happens they would take action.”
He also posited that the matter can be discussed among carriers themselves and if not pleased that anything is done about it persons have the right, through the regulatory commission and the laws, to take action as they see fit.
“So it’s not something for me to comment on, it’s something I would like to see happen but it’s not something for me to comment on, it’s the regulatory commission and I need to stay out of it in that sense,” said Hon Vanterpool.
He said that from another standpoint he would like to see the advancement of the telecommunications industry. “There would be hiccups along the way; we encourage them to continue to advance so that the country can achieve its aim in providing better broadband and higher speeds in telecommunication at the internet level.”
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21 Responses to “WhatsApp & Skype blocking a matter for TRC to address- Hon Mark H. Vanterpool”
And when they get involved you say they like to micromanage and won't let people do their job. Just hush your @$$.
You answered your own question. Why would they (the companies) give ppl the opportunity to save a dollar or 2, such things don't exist around here. Internet, phone, cable services here suck!!!!!! We so far behind by the time we manage to acquire technology that's been out for yrs, something else out & once again we behind.
They are greedy for wanting you to use their service instead of a free app? WTF? So they are in business to make you happy and not make money? Everybody want free this and free that but still want the same companies to hire them and pay big salaries. How the "£$$ does that work?
I'm not worried thou cct GLOBAL.
CCT has always allowed What's App calls and Skype. So just go down to CCT and ask one of them fine ladies to hook you up with Freedom One plan. Problem solved!!
http://us.blackberry.com/bbm.html