Introduction Appendix First TSTT press release on August 7th, 2007 announcing SNR Second TSTT press release on August 8th, 2007 - add info re: TATT and a temporary 'cap' on fixed calls within the exchange TSTT Newspaper ads on August 9th, 2007 - FAQ on SNR

 

Introduction

 

At this time (August 2007) in Trinidad and Tobago, the local access charge for fixed line to fixed line telephone calls within an area code is 23 cents TT regardless of duration of the call. For fixed line calls to a fixed line outside your area code, a per minute charge is applied.

See TSTT local rates page for a list of these rates.

 

On Tuesday 7th August 2007, TSTT announced that it will be changing the fixed line phone rates. The new phone rate has been named the "Single National Rate" (SNR).  Under this new rate, all fixed line to fixed line phone calls will be charged 23 cents per minute regardless of location or time of day .

 

No mention if the 23 cents is the before or after VAT price.

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix

 

 

First TSTT press release on August 7th, 2007 announcing SNR

 

(Text from http://www.tstt.co.tt/about/news_article.cfm?id=330)

 

SIMPLE CALLING RATE STRUCTURE FOR FIXED LINE CALLS - INTRODUCTION OF A SINGLE NATIONAL RATE

 

TSTT wishes to advise customers of the introduction of a new and simple calling rate for billing fixed line calls across Trinidad and Tobago. The existing complex rate structure will be replaced with a Single National Rate.

 

The Single National Rate will eliminate the elements that currently determine the cost of a local call such as: distance; whether calls are made within or outside of your exchange area and time of day. All fixed line calls will now be billed using one simple per minute rate (The following exceptions apply: calls to mobile, international, 976, 800 or other premium services; independent ISP numbers and calls from Payphones will remain unchanged. Smart Choice customers will not be affected.)

 

A NEW SIMPLER RATE

 

The existing rates range from $0.23 to $0.69 per minute. The new simplified rate will be $0.23 per minute for all calls to any location within Trinidad and Tobago with effect from September 7, 2007. Customers will now be able to call family and friends in any part of Trinidad and Tobago, at one simple calling rate. The Single National Rate is in direct response to customer feedback and conforms to international trends for local call billing. Customers will receive more details in the near future and may feel free to contact TSTT’s offices for further information on the Single National Rate.

 

 

Second TSTT press release on August 8th, 2007 - add info re: TATT and a temporary 'cap' on fixed calls within the exchange

 

(Text from http://www.tstt.co.tt/about/news_article.cfm?id=332 - it should be noted that the newspaper ads have printed on Thursday August 9th, 2007 differs in some details from this press release)

 

 

TSTT Clarifies Single National Rate Plan Announcement

 

TSTT’s wishes to provide additional information regarding our announcement of plans to implement a single national rate. The principal issues centre around TSTT’s notification requirements relative to the Regulator, TATT, and its customers; whether the Regulator has the authority to approve/disapprove the proposed rate revision; as well as the actual impact of the Single National Rate on customers.

 

TSTT’s position on the issues regarding TATT is that we have notified TATT in the manner prescribed in our Concession Agreement. In fact, TSTT has used this same procedure on two other rate changes during the past year. TATT raised no objections to the procedure in either instance. Customer notification of this Single National Rate was also carried out in accordance with the Concession Agreement. Given this compliance, along with the precedent set for previous rate adjustment action, TSTT believes that it has fully observed all relevant regulations in announcing the Single National Rate. Moving forward, TSTT will continue to work with TATT to ensure that any misunderstandings regarding procedural requirements for notifications are resolved.

 

Further, according to the Telecommunications Act of 2001, service providers are required to seek approval for proposed rate changes only if the Regulator has implemented a Price Regulation Regime. We understand that work on this regime is in process at TATT; however, no price regulations exist at this time. TSTT is of the view, therefore, that there is no requirement to await regulatory approval of the Single National Rate.

 

Most importantly, however, we must remember that the Single National Rate plan is in response to our customers’ desire for simpler calling plans. Advancements in telecommunications technology have tended to negate distance as a factor in determining calling rates. The single national rate is a reflection of this trend. Introducing the Single National Rate seeks to align customers’ preferences with the calling rate structures experienced in international and mobile calling. The plan has already been hailed as offering huge cost savings for many of our customers.

 

Nevertheless, TSTT is mindful that some of our customers may need some time to adjust to the new rate plan, particularly as it relates to calls within an exchange area. Such calls today have an effective rate of 23 cents per call. As such, from September 2007 to February 2008, charges for such calls will be ‘capped’ or limited for this period of time. For the first 3 months, charges for calls within the same exchange area will be limited to 69 cents per call, regardless of length. For the following three months they will be limited to $1.15 per call, regardless of length. TSTT will monitor the price-ceiling mechanism throughout this period as the company works to ensure the best possible service solutions are provided to customers.

 

TSTT Newspaper ads on August 9th, 2007 - FAQ on SNR

 

(full page ad in the daily newspapers which reads like a FAQ on SNR)

 

The Single National Rate and You

 

What is the Single National Rate (SNR)?

The Single National Rate is a new simplified billing structure for Residential and Business fixed line to fixed line calls within Trinidad and Tobago. The Single National Rate will eliminate the elements that currently determine the cost of a local call such as: distance; whether calls are made within or outside of your exchange area and time of day. These will now be replaced by one simple per minute rate. With the introduction of the SNR all fixed line calls to any location within Trinidad and Tobago will be billed at $0.23 per minute.

 

Why is TSTT instituting a Single National Rate (SNR)?

Ongoing feedback and consumer research have indicated that customers want a simple rate that is easy to remember and bills that are easy to calculate and understand. In response to this feedback, TSTT is pleased to introduce a simple, low per minute rate which replaces the current complex rating structure for fixed line calls. Customers will benefit since they are no longer charged based on the distance between themselves and their calling party. Customers are now able to call family and friends, in any part of Trinidad and Tobago, at one simple calling rate.

 

What are the existing rates and what are the new rates?

There are currently nine different rate bands for local calling. Current rates are based on a complex calculation of call duration, distance ; whether calls are made within or outside of your exchange area and time of day. These rates range from $0.23 per call to $0.69 per minute.

 

The new simplified rate will be $0.23 per minute for all fixed line calls to any location within Trinidad and Tobago. Distance and time of day will no longer be a factor in determining the cost of fixed line calls.

 

When will the Single National Rate become effective and will it affect all fixed line customers?

The Single National Rate will become effective on September 7th , 2007. The Single National Rate will apply to all fixed line customers - whether business or residential.

 

Are there any exceptions to the new rate?

The following exceptions apply: calls to mobile, international, 976, 800 or other premium services; independent ISP numbers and calls from Payphones will remain unchanged. SmartChoice customers will not be impacted.

 

How will this change impact my bill?

The impact on customers’ bills will be dependent on their calling patterns. Customers with a high ratio of calls outside their exchange area could experience significant reductions in their bills. Customers with a high ratio of calls within their exchange area could experience an increase in their bills.

 

How will TSTT help customers in adjusting to these changes?

TSTT will be introducing a “cap” on the cost of calls made from residential lines to other lines within the same exchange area. The “cap” will be applied for a six month period to allow customers to adjust their calling patterns to take advantage of the new simplified rates.

 

How will the “cap” work?

Currently the cost of a call within the same exchange area is $0.23 per call. During the first three months: September 7th 2007 - December 6th 2007, only the first three minutes of residential calls will be billed – therefore “capping” the cost of the call. For example calls within your exchange area will be charged as follows :

• One minute call - $0.23
• Two minute call - $0.46
• Three minute call -$0.69

Calls over three minutes will not incur an additional charge. The maximum cost for a call within your exchange will therefore be $0.69 during this period.

 

During the next three months: December 7th, 2007 - March 6th 2008, only the first five minutes of residential calls will be billed – therefore “capping” the cost of the call. For example calls within your exchange area will be charged as follows:

• One minute call - $0.23
• Two minute call - $0.46
• Three minute call - $0.69
• Four minute call - $0.92
• Five minute call $1.15

 

Calls over five minutes will not incur an additional charge. The maximum cost for a call within your exchange will therefore be $1.15 during this period. Over a six month period, TSTT will review the impact of the "cap".

 

Will the Single National Rate affect dial-up Internet rates?

No. Dial-up rates for both TSTT and non-TSTT customers remain the same.