Introduced in the Senate in February 2001, the Telecommunications Bill establishes a legislative framework for telecommunications and broadcasting services in Trinidad and Tobago, for the purpose of encouraging new providers to enter the market, thereby facilitating competition in the sector. It also provides for the formation of a Telecommunication Authority to monitor and regulate the telecommunication sector.
The Telecommunication Bill was passed with amendments in the Senate in April 2001. The House of Representatives recived the bill in May 2001 and was passed later that month. The Telecommunications Act was officially assented on the 5th July 2001 but only Parts I, II, VII, VIII and X with the exceptions of Sections 77, 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85 of the bill were in effect from 2001. The remaining parts (Parts III, IV, V, VI and IX and sections 77, 81, 82, 83, 84) were proclaimed on June 30 2004.
An interim Telecommunication Authority was set up in July 2002.
- View the Telecommunication Bill, 2001 (PDF ; 136K)
- View the Telecommunication Act, 2001 (PDF ; 130K)
- Trinidad and Tobago Parliament’s website on the Telecommunication Act, 2001. Contains the transcripts of the speakers in both the House of Representatives and the Senate and other information as the Bill went through Parliament.
- View Proclamation on June 30 2004
