Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) finalized and issued the NSP RIO for the telecommunications industry on 17 December 2013. It covers Offers which must be provided by a NSP for the provision of an interconnection service to any access seeker seeking interconnection with a NSP. The NSP RIO is intended to guide a NSP, and any other Service Providers seeking interconnection with a NSP, and facilitates the provision of interconnection services in Vanuatu.
Main Objectives of Establishing an NSP RIO
• To ensure the public good is managed fairly, equitably and transparently.
• To ensure appropriate policies are in place to guide and safeguard the welfare of the different parties operating services in Vanuatu.
• To ensure effective and speedy provision of Interconnection to new and existing Licensees.
• To ensure the effective maintenance of end-to-end services between Licensees in Vanuatu.
• To ensure there is no discrimination of interconnection services among licensees.
• To ensure the smooth introduction of access to the International Submarine Cable to Vanuatu.
Both TVL and Digicel were notified by TRBR as NSPs under section 27 (1) of the Act. In developing the NSP RIO, TRBR consulted NSP’s and interested parties prior determining the terms and conditions of the NSP RIO. TRBR consulted with Interchange Ltd (the submarine cable provider), as an interested party, to ensure that the NSP RIO covers relevant technical aspects of interconnection to that submarine cable.
TRBR released the final NSP RIO for the industry on 17 December 2013 and it is now applicable for the sector at large. TRBR will shortly nominate Interchange, as it is critical for the NSP RIO to capture this essential service and to ensure fair access to such a bottleneck infrastructure.
The NSP RIO is a living offer document and will be reviewed and modified as required as experience is gained on its application and industry evolution.