TSTT may appeal Portability ruling

1812631

PETER CHRISTOPHER

[email protected]

TSTT has expressed concern over some statements made by Justice Frank Seepersad during his ruling on the Fixed Number Portability matter and may appeal his ruling.

On Tuesday, Seepersad ruled that the local radiocommunications provider is legally obligated to implement fixed number portability.

The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago hailed the ruling, as they said the country was one step closer to the portability of fixed numbers.

TATT said once in place, fixed landline customers can change their service without changing their phone number.

However TSTT issued a release on Wednesday, seeking to affirm its stance in the matter.

In the release, TSTT said, “As it relates to the recent ruling, TSTT wishes to explicitly state that Columbus Communications Trinidad Limited (‘CCTL’) and the regulator, TATT, were the two key parties involved in the matter.”

The state owned telecommunications provider continued, “Following a procedural hearing, TSTT was joined as an interested party, for the purposes of interpreting various aspects of relevant telecoms legislation to determine whether TSTT had a legal obligation to implement fixed number portability. TSTT is concerned about some aspects of the judgement and certain statements made by the learned judge.”

TSTT said it is “carefully considering all of its options including whether or not to appeal.”

TSTT said, “It is to be noted that the Court made no mandatory order against TSTT. The Court granted none of the relief sought by CCTL and further considered that no practical purpose would be achieved by making any of the declarations sought by CCTL.”

The telecommunications company closed by stating it “is mindful of the important role that it and all other stakeholders play in the national telecommunications industry. In this regard, TSTT is committed to ensuring that its customers and the general public benefit from the rollout of number portability in a manner that is fair, transparent, and lawful.”