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Vanterpool Challenges TRC to ‘step up’

Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool challenged to TRC to step up its game. Photo: VINo
A section of the audience at the TRC presentation ceremony held at Maria's By the Sea on May 30, 2013. Photo: VINO
A section of the audience at the TRC presentation ceremony held at Maria's By the Sea on May 30, 2013. Photo: VINO
Members of the TRC, Chairman Ayanna Hull (left) and CEO Guy Lester Malone. Photo: VINO
Members of the TRC, Chairman Ayanna Hull (left) and CEO Guy Lester Malone. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool declared he is not satisfied that the Virgin Islands is as much on the cutting edge as it can be given the technological advancements that are available.

Speaking at a presentation ceremony held by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) on May 30, 2013 at Maria’s by the Sea, Hon. Vanterpool told the Commission that their mandate would be to work very closely with all of the providers in the Territory.

He urged them to, “see to it that they step up their game, and elevate the Territory of the Virgin Islands on the world stage, as far as technological advances in telecommunications are concerned.”

The Minister also insisted that this be done at an affordable cost.

Noting the time that he has since entered office, Hon. Vanterpool said the time is now far spent for some action in this regard. “This Government is expecting results from the telecoms sector now, not two or three years from now,” Hon. Vanterpool stated.

He called on the TRC and other players in the industry to move swiftly and to do everything within their ambit to ensure that the Government, the business community, residents and persons who visit the Virgin Islands for business or pleasure, have affordable access to, and can benefit from the latest available telecommunications products and services.

Speaking specifically to service providers, the Minister noted that he wished to see technology improved to a standard where the Territory is competitive worldwide and could offer customers the highest level of internet service in terms of speed, accuracy and modernisation.

According to the Works Minister, the local economy must be able to potentially attract world class businesses, and support those already within the Territory.

25 Responses to “Vanterpool Challenges TRC to ‘step up’”

  • wet well (31/05/2013, 08:14) Like (10) Dislike (20) Reply
    just more talk no action...wid general at the helm poor ayu
    • she the cat mother (31/05/2013, 09:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      If one does the same thing repeatedly, one shouldn't expect different results.
    • bad thing (31/05/2013, 12:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      What about the outrageous data charges....for services hardly available? smh.
    • in and out (31/05/2013, 20:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      they need to talk about when cct was overcharging us all for incoming and out going cell calls
  • one eye roster (31/05/2013, 08:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let in another provider or two
    • vip (31/05/2013, 10:54) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      the market cannot take it!!!!!
      • invest (31/05/2013, 20:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Lime and Digicel spend time making alot of noise about the mobile sector as if those are the only customers they serve....what about land-lines?
  • Shara Parlin (31/05/2013, 08:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    A good first step. When are we going to see a monthly flat rate for unlimited calls within and across networks.?
  • ta ta (31/05/2013, 08:25) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    what about this 1 cable provider
  • yellow (31/05/2013, 08:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The government must first get to the root cause of this high cost of cell and landlines
    • justice (31/05/2013, 12:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      It would really be good to have some competition in the landline sector
  • critic (31/05/2013, 09:21) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    why are we paying for 4G which we dont have? This is criminal according to marlon.
  • 4G already! (31/05/2013, 10:04) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is the minister on about - the territory already has 4G (HSPA+ is internationally recognised as 4G) - more than the UK and most of europe does........surely the laziest and ignorant speech a minister can make. Lime and Digicel should be applauded for bringing the latest technology to this country not lambasted with ignorant comments from the minister.........
  • Disgruntled (31/05/2013, 13:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sir the landline people are feeling it. I am paying for 3megs bandwith but only getting at the max 1meg. Look into that please.
  • ooooo (31/05/2013, 13:52) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    isn't mark in charge? it surely dont sounds so
  • DA VOICE (31/05/2013, 14:46) Like (2) Dislike (63) Reply
    the Spanish speaking cable system need urgent attention Mr. vanterpool. why this cannot be address? we are a English speaking country. it time for action in this regards
    • question (31/05/2013, 20:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Can the BVI consumer now get some Lower

      food prices, property taxes? Can we have a lower

      crime rate?
    • wise up (01/06/2013, 19:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      DA VOICE; the matter of the SPANISH on local cable is a very good question for the minister
  • cable fraud (31/05/2013, 16:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You need to look into why cable TV charging for the local channels that should be transmitted free to all house hold within the Virgin Islands. CH 1, 2, 8, 12, 51, 52, 55. THEY ARE NOT PAYING FOR ANY OF THESE CHANNELS, as a matter of fact the local companies that own the channels pay Cable TV for transmitting their signal to the public. JTV, ZBVI, ZROD, CBN all give them specialize equipment plus money. They don't even have a disaster channel that can transmit emergency alerts.
    • wise up (02/06/2013, 14:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      channel 01 do NOT pay Cable TV(he does things for cable tv in exchange for a free ride)
  • pay day (31/05/2013, 16:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    When I was a kid, TnT had some really smart people. They were sharp, but I'm at a loss to understand precisely what has transpired over the years.
  • wise up (31/05/2013, 23:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    why is cable tv charging the people of the bvi for the local channels
  • Mick Mars (01/06/2013, 18:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are where we are because the people in charge feel it necessary to have us running behind the times at an inflated fee because they have no competition and all the higher ups get fat off of the high prices we have to pay for shoddy service and inadequate options.

    The prices we pay for Cable/Internet/Mobile services we should be zipping along at speeds comparable to that of South Korea and enjoying spot on cell service. But this ain't 1995 no more, you know. There are alternatives and we the people will find and embrace them and lessen their revenue provided them ain't step up.
  • pp (02/06/2013, 15:06) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hull is doing good work


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