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Review of Key Accomplishments and Ongoing Activities In April 2020, a new strategic plan for the period 2020 – 2022 was approved by the Authority’s Board of Directors. The plan identified four strategic themes as follows: • • • •
Stakeholder Relationship Management Sustainability of Industry Universal Service, Connectivity and Digital Inclusion Organisational Effectiveness (People, Process, Systems, Facilities)
An operational plan for the three-year strategic planning period was developed and key deliverables for each year were laid down. Annually, the key deliverables (for the year under review) are monitored and managed through a quarterly corporate performance management system to ensure that the goals of the plan are realised.
The revised Consultation Procedures document was issued for public consultation in August 2019. In August 2020, the document, along with the Decisions on Recommendations (DoRs) from the first round of consultation, was issued for a second round. Taking into consideration the feedback received from stakeholders during that second round of consultation, the document was revised and finalised in September 2020 and will be published and implemented during the new financial year.
Some of the key deliverables for the financial year 2019 – 2020, under each strategic theme, are reported on below.
The revised document incorporates new methods and platforms, e.g., social media, to encourage greater participation in the consultation process. Additionally, the document streamlines the consultation periods, taking into account factors such as the level of complexity of the subject matter and the potential impact on the industry. It is envisioned that the new procedures will not only increase the efficiency of the process but also lead to greater regulatory accountability and transparency.
1.1 Strategic Theme 1: Stakeholder Relationship Management
1.2 Strategic Theme 2: Sustainability of Industry
1.1.1
1.2.1
Strategic Objective: Improve the Consultation Process
1.1.1.1 Revision of Consultation Procedures Consultation is considered an essential part of regulatory accountability and transparency. It is how stakeholders in the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors, affected by various regulatory instruments, express their views on matters which affect them. The Authority has been using its Procedures for Consultation in the Telecommunications and Broadcasting Sectors of Trinidad and Tobago (Consultation Procedures), which were first drafted in 2005 and subsequently revised in 2010, to guide all public and targeted stakeholder consultations. However, as the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors continue to evolve, the Authority has recognised the need to update these procedures, to facilitate timely and more effective consultation on the policies, frameworks and regulations published by the Authority.
Strategic Objective: Improving Stakeholder Understanding of the Sector’s Contribution to National Development
1.2.1.1 Consumer Education Campaigns Each year, the Authority engages with consumers in a variety of ways as a means of educating the public and raising awareness of developments in the telecommunications and broadcasting industry, globally and locally. Many challenges faced by consumers of telecommunications and broadcasting services are as a result of a lack of information and awareness. As such, the “Yuh Don’t Know What Yuh Don’t Know” video and print media campaign was launched in the previous financial year, thereby enabling consumers to make more informed choices and to widen awareness of the Authority’s consumer protection role and complaint facility. The videos featured staff from the Authority acting out scenarios set in the everyday life of the average person in Trinidad 17
