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Telecommunication in St. Maarten
© TelEm Group
The TelEm Group of Companies is the proud local Telecommunications provider on Sint Maarten. The company is small on a global scale, but a giant when to comes to setting its telecommunication ambitions. TelEm is the only Quad Play provider on Sint Maarten, offering 4G LTE Mobile services, landline, fixed internet, and IPTV services to its residents, businesses and visitors.
We are currently rolling out Fiber to the Home (FTTH), replacing our copper (DSL) network, ensuring a reliable, high-speed and future-proof internet connection for everyone. Neither Hurricane Irma in 2017 nor the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019/2020 have slowed our ambitions. Indeed, they have only accelerated it. Operating in a hurricane zone strengthens our resolve to put our high-speed infrastructure underground so that service recovery time after any storm is minimal. The increased demand for high-speed internet at home has also resulted in stepped up efforts to roll out FTTH even faster.
With fiber, we now offer a more reliable connection, with more upload and download speed for an affordable price, which is what our customers have demanded from us in these trying economic times.
TELECOMMUNICATION IN ST. MAARTEN
As a local Telecommunication provider, TelEm Group takes its Corporate Social Responsibility very seriously. Over the past years we have engaged in numerous social initiatives to help residents and businesses. Actions like these firmly establish TelEm Group as THE local Telecommunications Provider of which the residents of Sint Maarten are justly proud, and have been able to rely on, showing their appreciation by voting the company #1 Telecommunication provider for St. Maarten on consecutive occasions.
Despite the company’s driving ambition, and Fiber to the Home roll out, TelEm Group is not resting on its laurels. We are continuing to improve our Mobile Network, preparing for future developments like Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and 5G, and continuously working on improving our coverage. Our Television content is also constantly improving. With the launch of TelTV+ in 2021, TelEm now offers a great range of up to 150 HD and SD channels for residents, hotels, timeshare and other businesses.
TelEm Group is presently headed by Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) Mr. Kendall Dupersoy, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mrs. Helma Etnel, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Mr. Eldert Louisa and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Mr. Michiel Parent.
The CEO, Mr. Dupersoy, views telecommunications landscape as ever-changing:
“Only a few short years ago, internet speeds of 100 Megabit or even 1 Gigabit going to a home was inconceivable. Nowadays, speeds of up to 2 or 3 Gigabit to a residential home is quickly becoming commonplace. The need for more speed is not so much driven by the telecommunications industry but by the consumer market. With the increased functionality of smart phones and now the new trend of smart homes with highlevel security, consumers now require high speed internet. After the Covid-19 pandemic, education moved online and all experts expect that this trend will not simply disappear but a new educational system which will combine in person and online classes. To facilitate this new development, TelEm is putting in place a robust, secure, reliable, fast network today.”
Oversight of the company is provided by the Supervisory Board of Directors, St. Maarten Telecommunication Holding Company N.V. (SBOD – SMTHC NV), consisting of up to seven board members who report to the Shareholder Representative, in the person of the Prime Minister Ms. Silveria Jacobs and the Council of Ministers (COM).
About the Company
St. Maarten Telecommunication Holding Company N.V. ( a.k.a. TelEm Group) The Sint Maarten Telecommunication Holding Company N.V. is a governmentowned company established in 2007 with the Island Government of St. Maarten as sole shareholder with its main office located on Pond Island in the heart of the capital, Philipsburg, and branch offices at the Skyport Building in Simpson Bay and at the Port St. Maarten harbor.
BUREAU TELECOMMUNICATIONS & POST
ABOUT US Bureau Telecommunications and Post St. Maarten (BTP) is the independent regulatory authority for the Telecommunications and Post industry in St. Maarten.
WHO ARE WE?
BTP regulates telecommunications and post industries to maintain a competitive environment in St. Maarten. We consult with industry participants and stakeholders, focusing on attaining quality and affordable services for all.
BTP commenced its task on October 10th, 2010 as the independent regulatory authority of new country St. Maarten.
BTP strives to attain a balanced environment in which consumer interests are protected. We create and maintain the foundation to support the introduction of new technologies and services which will promote socioeconomic development and overall growth of the nation.
VISION
BTP regulates and guide the telecommunications, post and utilities infrastructures and their developments. We maintain proper grounds and standards to stimulate and facilitate the continued introduction of new technologies and services on short and long term. Having such an infrastructure will not solely serve to enhance the quality of life on St. Maarten but shall also enhance the overall business viability within the industry even in a small economy of scale.
The Geographic location of St. Maarten and the demographics of St. Maarten present the potential for St. Maarten to position and establish itself as a leading Telecommunications Hub in the region. Such an achievement would enable service offering exceeding national borders. This vision is being executed in line with the direction stipulated by the Government of the Island Territory of St. Maarten, formulated in its 2008 Telecommunications policy:
“A competitive and NGN supportive environment which shall attract investments for further growth; Universal Access to all, establishment and promotion of E-Commerce, Health, and Education, research, training and Development in ICTs. The establishment of St. Maarten as regional telecommunications hub, serving as the connecting link between the Caribbean and the United States of America.”
© metamorworks / Shutterstock.com
The vast telecommunications developments over the years on St. Maarten are indicative of our potential and capabilities, to serve a much larger market than our own. This Telecommunications Policy, which is the first Telecommunications Policy for the Country St. Maarten,
BUREAU TELECOMMUNICATIONS & POST
serves as the basis for a competitive, consumer and provider friendly telecommunications environment. Enhancing the quality of life through telecommunications is the ultimate goal.
WHAT WE DO
GENERAL:
• Development of policies for the telecommunication and post industry. • Implementation and execution of task as established by the Minister of telecommunication. • Preparation of the rules and regulation and laws for telecommunication and post for country St. Maarten. • Execution of responsibilities and task according to the
“landsverordening” telecommunication and post. • Where necessary on instruction of the Council of
Ministers, represent and defending the interest of country
St. Maarten related to telecommunication and post; national, regionally and internationally. • General advice to the minister and members of parliament. • General advice and execution of responsibilities and task for government services and third parties related to the minister and members of parliament. • Execution of other activities as instructed by the Minister of telecommunication. • Execution of other activities in accordance with the
“landsverordening”.
IN THE AREA OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS:
• Issuing licenses for radio frequencies and telecommunication equipment and infrastructure. • Managing of radio frequencies. • Issuance of numbers and managing the number plan for
St. Maarten. • Issuance of approvals for test standards. • Inspections and examination of telecommunication equipment and infra structure. • Issuance of compliance certificates. • Issuance of certificates and letters of authorization for
telecommunication educational programs. • Set guidelines to prevent and resolve network quality issues and complaints. • Issuance of warnings, fines and attachments/ liens on equipment in case of non-compliance or violation with telecommunication require and regulations. • Revoking of licenses. • Issuance of certification and letters of authorization for
specific maritime radio communication. • Administration, issuance of invoices and collection of payments related to the telecommunication sector; including legal collection measures.
IN THE AREA OF POST:
• Issuance of licenses and permits according to article 13.1
“Postlandsverondering” 1998. • Administration, issuance of invoices and collection of payments related to the Post sector; including legal collection measures.
