Flow T&T has called last week’s court ruling on Fixed Number Portability, “a victory for customers.”
In a release, Columbus Communication Trinidad Limited, the parent company of the Cable and internet provider hailed Justice Frank Seepersad’s ruling last week Wednesday which stated TSTT is legally obligated to allow fixed-landline customers to change their service provider without changing their number.
In the statement, the company said, “For close to five years customers have been denied the service and competition stifled because Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT) argued it is not legally obligated to implement FNP.
Columbus Communications Trinidad Limited/Flow Trinidad has always advocated for fair market competition, and exercised all available options to make the case for a level playing field in the local telecommunications space for the benefit of all consumers, and the sustained development of the industry.”
The company explained, “FNP allows for competition in the fixed voice market as customers are able to keep their numbers if they choose to change service provider. Government’s policy is to promote competition. The relevant telecommunication legislation, regulations, and concession agreement require that operators provide customers with FNP service when directed to do so by the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT). Based on a 2016 TATT decision, customers should have been able to enjoy FNP service as of November 28, 2016.”
As such the company called Seepersad’s ruling “a welcomed result.”
It added, “This signals a tremendous victory for customers and the wider industry. We are excited that this ruling paves the way for fair and open competition in the fixed voice market,” said Flow’s vice president, Simone Martin-Sulgan.
Martin-Sulgan added, “We are pleased with the ruling since everyone wins with increased competition. Our team members are excited about the many possibilities and benefits it now offers to the market when it comes to Telecommunication services.”
Last week, TSTT expressed concern about some aspects of the judgement and certain statements made by Seepersad.
The State owned communications company also said it was considering appealing the ruling.
