About NTRC

The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (St. Kitts and Nevis)

NTRC was established pursuant to the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority Treaty and the Telecommunications Act 2 of 2000 as amended to regulate the newly liberalized Telecommunications market in St. Kitts and Nevis in collaboration with the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) and to ensure fair competitive practices by Telecommunications providers and to promote and maintain high quality Telecommunications services at fair and competitive prices for consumers.

The Mission

To create a fully liberalised Telecommunications environment, by promoting competition amongst service providers for the delivery of efficient and affordable telecoms services to the people of ECTEL Member States, by implementing applicable laws, treaties and agreements through fair, transparent and independent processes.

Commissioners:
Ms. Danni A. Maynard
Mr. Tristan Vasquez

Mr. Wesley Wharton (Acting Chairman)

Chief Executive Officer: Mr. Ervin Williams

The Commission

FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION

Section (17) of the Telecommunications Act 2 of 2000 as amended

(1) The Functions of the Commission are to:

(a) Advise the Minister on the formulation of national policy on telecommunications matters with a view to ensuring the efficient, economic and harmonized development of the telecommunications and broadcasting services and radio- communications of St. St. Kitts and Nevis;

(b) Ensure compliance with the Government’s international obligations on telecommunications;

(c) Be responsible for technical regulation and the setting of technical standards of telecommunications and ensure the compatibility with international standards;

(d) Plan, supervise, regulate and manage the use of the radio frequency spectrum in conjunction with ECTEL, including the assignment and registration of radio frequency to be used by all stations operating in St. Kitts and Nevis or on any ship, aircraft, vessel, or other floating or airborne contrivance or spacecraft registered in St. Kitts and Nevis;

(e) Regulate prices for telecommunications services;

(f) Advise the Minister on all matters related to tariffs for telecommunications services;

(g) Collect all fees prescribed and any other tariffs levied under this Act or Regulations;

(h) Receive and review applications for licenses and advise the Minister accordingly;

(i) Monitor and ensure that licensees comply with the conditions attached to their licenses;

(j) Review proposed interconnection agreements by telecommunications providers and recommend to the Minister whether or not he should approve such agreements;

(k) Investigate and resolve any dispute relating to interconnections or sharing of infrastructure between telecommunications providers;

(l) Investigate and resolve complaints related to harmful interference;

(m) Monitor anti-competitive practices in the telecommunications sector and advise the national body responsible for the regulation of anti-competitive practices accordingly;

(n) Maintain a register of licensees and frequency authorization holders;

(o) Provide the Minister with such information as he may require from time to time;

(p) Undertake in conjunction with other institutions and entities where practicable, training, manpower planning, seminars and conferences in the areas of national and regional importance in telecommunications;

(q) Report to and advise the Minister on the legal, technical, financial, economic aspects of telecommunications, and the social impact of telecommunications;

(r) Manage the universal service fund;

(s) Perform such other functions as prescribed.

POWERS OF THE COMMISSION

Section (18) of the Telecommunications Act 2 of 2000 as amended

(1) The Commission shall have the power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in
connection with the performance of its functions.

(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the Commission has the power to –

(a) acquire information relevant to performance of its functions including whether or not a person is in breach of a license, frequency authorization or this Act;

(b) require payment of fees;

(d) hold public hearings pertaining to its functions;

(e) sit as a tribunal;

(f) do anything incidental to its powers

*(24) appoint staff and contract the services of such specialist persons as is necessary for the performance of the functions of the Commission.

For additional information refer to the Telecommunications ACT #2 of 2000.