Turks And Caicos Islands Telecommunications Commission announces new rates
On Friday June 20th the Turks and Caicos Telecommunications Commission released their Telecommunications Decision 2014-4 which establishes a new “Interconnection Rate” plan regulating the wholesale rate that Lime, Digicel and IslandCom Communications will be allowed to charge each other for terminating mobile and fixed telecommunications services over the course of the next three years. The Commission has recommended to Cabinet that regulations be amended to introduce the planned new rates. The new rates are expected to come into effect on July 1, 2014.
Interconnection Rates, which are subject to regulation in many Caribbean as well as other countries, are the rates carriers charge each other for terminating telecommunication services on their respective networks.
Under the plan established by the Commission, the maximum permitted rate for mobile call termination will be reduced, in a graduated manner, from the current level of US $0.0850 per minute to US $0.0750 per minute after July 1, 2014, to US $0.0675 per minute after March 31, 2015 (in each case, adjusted on a pro rata basis for units of less than a minute).
Fixed call termination will be reduced, in a graduated manner, from the current level of US $0.0300 per minute to US $0.0220 per minute after July 1, 2014, to US $0.0195 per minute after March 31, 2015, and to US $0.0170 per minute after March 31, 2016 (in each case, adjusted on a pro rata basis for units of less than a minute).
Transit call termination will be reduced, in a graduated manner, from the current level of US $0.0150 per minute to US $0.0110 per minute after July 1, 2014, to US $0.00975 per minute after March 31, 2015, and to US $0.0085 per minute after March 31, 2016 (in each case, adjusted on a pro rata basis for units of less than a minute).
The reduction in the Interconnection Rates is in harmony with world trends in the telecommunications industry and will foster stronger competition among the carriers. It should also result in lower prices for calls across local telecommunications networks.
The Chairman of the Commission, Mrs. Heather Allen, stated that: “We are very pleased that the Commission was able to continue with pricing reforms that will benefit all Turks and Caicos Islanders, and in these difficult economic times, provide some relief from price increases that are hitting so many essential services. The Chairman added: “The Commission will continue to strive to motivate improvements in services from the telecom sector, and to press the operators to ensure that TCI leads in the region in terms of the availability of state-of-the-art new digital communications services demanded by consumers and businesses as well as by global visitors and businesses seeking to invest in our country.”
The Turks and Caicos Telecommunications Commission is responsible for regulating the telecommunications operators in Turks & Caicos Islands, as set out in the Telecommunications Ordinance of 2004. The Commission is charged with maintaining effective and fair competition in the telecom sector
Copies of the decision can be obtained from the Commission’s office or can be downloaded from its website at http://www.telecommission.tc.
FIRST FEMALE CHIEF JUSTICE FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
His Excellency the Governor Peter Beckingham has accepted the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission to appoint Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale as the next Chief Justice of the Turks and Caicos Islands it was announced today, Thursday 19 June 2014.
Ramsay-Hale was previously appointed as Puisne Judge to the Turks and Caicos Islands Supreme Court in November 2011. She was appointed to the Bench in Jamaica in 1995, and was first admitted to practice as an attorney-at-law in Jamaica in 1991.
The Commission has accepted the current Chief Justice Edwin Goldsbrough's offer to stay on in TCI for a few months while a successor to Ramsey Hale is found.
Commenting on the appointment the Governor said:
"I have offered this position to Justice Ramsay-Hale this week, and I am very pleased that she has accepted it. I am certain that she will bring a great deal of energy as well as professional wisdom and experience to this very important job in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
"I would also like to pay tribute to the work of current Chief Justice Goldsborough. He has over-seen the judicial process at a difficult and demanding time for the country, and Turks and Caicos has benefitted greatly from his contribution."
Justice Ramsay-Hale will assume her new position later this year.
The Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission is Justice Lensley Wolfe; its other members are Sir David Simmons and Sir Brian Alleyne.
Minister of Government Support Services off to Barbados
Hon. George Lightbourne, Minister of Government Support Services, left for Barbaos on Wednesday 25th June to attend the 5th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to be held on the 26th and 27th. 2014.
The meeting will facilitate discussions among participating member states for continued strengthening in disaster and emergency preparations, and the need to have adequate and relevant policies, guidelines, contingency plans, systems and other resources to mitigate or eliminate, as far as practical, the immediate consequence of disasters in Participating States.
Minister Lightbourne expressed the importance the Turks and Caicos Islands being a part of this forum. “The Ministry of Government Support Services remains committed to disaster and emergency preparedness here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. I look forward to being at this meeting, which is an icon for the continued strengthening of ties with our regional partners, and by extension global partners.”
Dr. Virginia Clerveaux, Director of the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME), is accompanying the Minister.
JAK releases new single on RTC Radio
TCI's most prolific artist Jack Nasty released his first major single to be distributed worldwide.
The artist used RTC's very own morning jock, Donna 'the Stunna', earlier today to debut this hot Alternative/Soca Track.
The single was produced by platinum and Grammy Winning producer AJ Parhm jr who is well known in the music industry for producing for the likes of Usher, Justin Beiber and he also produced last year's World Cup Song for Pepsi featuring Akon and Keri Hilson.
Jack Nasty spoke exclusively with RTC and told us that both he and AJ plan on working on a full project along with some major players in the industry, and when asked specifically if the he was signed to a record deal, Jack told RTC to expect some very positive news in the near by future.
RTC E has heard through the rumour mill, that the artist has signed a major deal which could result in major promotions for the TCI entertainment industry and foster new possibilities in marketing strategies for the TCI tourism.
Jack came onto the music scene in 2003 with his hit single, 'Kick, Drop and Wine,' to which he shot the first ever music video by a solo recording artist from the TC.
Since then Jack has been very consistent with his music which includes songs like "money for the Nino", "Black Crabs" and "over back ninja" which continue to be heard across the TCI airwaves.
We at RTC wish Jack nothing but the best with his career endeavors.
Ministry of Education highlights Graduation, Services & Presetations
The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services cordially invites the general public to the Valedictory Services, and Graduation & Prize Giving ceremonies for students completing public primary and high schools in the country. The schedule for the various ceremonies throughout the islands is listed below.
1.High Schools- Valedictory Services - Sunday June 29th 2014: Grand Turk - HJ Robinson-Salem Baptist Church 3:00 p.m.- Speaker: Rev. Mark Christmas
South Caicos -Marjorie Basden -New Testament Church of God-3:30 p.m. Speaker: Bishop Clayton Harris.
North Caicos -Raymond Gardiner-Church of God of Prophecy 3:00 p.m. Speaker: Pastor A. Banzie
Providenciales-Clement Howell-Paradise Baptist Church 3:30 p.m. Speaker: Pastor Pedro Williams
High Schools Graduation Ceremonies
Monday, 30th June 2014HJ Robinson -Yellow-man & Son's Auditorium, 6:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Mrs. Angela Musgrove
Theme: Unlocking Our Potential, Creating a Path that Leads to Success
Tuesday, 1st July 2014-Marjorie Basden -South Caicos Community Centre, 5:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Mr. Nixon Dickenson
Theme: We Design Our Future through the Power of Choice.
Wednesday, 2nd July 2014 Raymond Gardiner - Horse Stable Beach 5:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Mrs. Ruth Forbes, theme: We've Only Just Begun.
Thursday, 3rd July 2014 Clement Howell -Williams Auditorium,5:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Ms. Anya Malcolm
Theme: Celebrate your Achievements; Embrace your Dreams
2. Primary Schools Prize-Giving Ceremonies
Theme: Recognizing Achievement – Promoting Excellence
Monday, 30th 2014-Grand Turk- H. J. Robinson High Auditorium 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, 1st July 2014- South Caicos -Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, 2nd July 2014-North Caicos & Middle -Horse Stable Beach 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, 3rd July 2014- Providenciales -Gustarvus Lightbourne Complex 10 a.m.
Mary Fulford wins Miss Teen Summa Jam
The Organizers of the popular annual Grand Turk festival T I Summajam continued last night, Thursday, June 26th, at the library Tennis Court where contestants took part in the Miss Teen Grand Turk.
3rd runner up was Makayla Tucker wearing the sash of Cash Wiz TCI, 2nd runner up was Royshana Robinson of Herzog Construction, 1st runner up was Shaniqua Wolfe wearing the sash of GQ Car Rentals & Sales & taking home the grand prize was Mary Fulford proudly donning the sash of TCI Lotto games.
However this evening, the Miss Grand Turk 2014 Pageants will take to the runway where they will be vying for the coveted crown:
Miss Grand Turk Pageant
Contestants: Sponsors:
Colea Coalbrooke Other People’s Affairs
Delricia Wilson Grand Turk Liquors
Raynell Smith Paradise Events
Dixie Smith Osprey Beach Hotel
Kathia Rock E and R Supermarket
Wadeline Filsaime Wally’s Restaurant
Olivia Smith Margaritaville
Bethsada Jean Faboutique Fashions
The festival will commence at 8:00 p.m. this evening.
Ukraine, EU Sign Free Trade Agreement
Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko says his country has paid "the highest possible price" to achieve the goal of a free trade agreement with the European Union -- a goal reached Friday when he signed the deal at a summit in Brussels.
Earlier in the day Poroshenko called the signing "historic," despite negative reaction from Moscow. Russia's deputy foreign minister said Ukraine's move is "fraught with serious consequences."
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that controversy over the agreement, which led to the ouster of pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Ya-nukov-ych earlier this year, has forced Ukrainians into an "artificial" choice between loyalties to Europe or to Russia. He called for a long-term ceasefire in Ukraine as a condition for talks between Ukrainian authorities and pro-Russian separatists.
At the Brussels summit, EU leaders set a Monday deadline for Putin to demonstrate support for calming the unrest in Ukraine.
In a statement issued Friday, the 28 leaders called for Moscow to meet several conditions, including visibly supporting the Ukrainian government's proposed peace plan, the French news agency AFP reported. Ukraine's government also should be granted oversight of three major border checkpoints, Reuters reported.
Iraq's Top Shi'ite Cleric Demands Maliki Replacement by Tuesday
Pressure continued to build Friday on Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, with the country's top Shi'ite cleric calling on political groups to agree on a new leader by Tuesday.
Iraq's recently-elected parliament is meeting Tuesday to begin the process of forming what many hope will be a more inclusive government that does not marginalize Iraq's Sunni minority.
Maliki is losing some Shi'ite allies. On Friday, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani called on political blocs to agree on a new prime minister, president, and parliament speaker by the Tuesday meeting.
The prime minister has rejected forming an emergency government, saying that would go against the country's constitution and the results of the April 30 parliamentary election.
Maliki's future is expected to be a topic for U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, who meet Friday in Riyadh to discuss how to confront Sunni extremists that have taken over large parts of Iraq and Syria.
Kerry met Thursday in Paris with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, in an effort to rally regional unity against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL.
White House Seeks $500M to Equip, Train Syrian Opposition
The White House is asking the U.S. Congress for $500 million to equip and train selected members of the armed moderate Syrian opposition.
National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said Thursday the money will also be used to help defend the Syrian people, stabilize areas under rebel control and meet the threat of terrorism.
Hayden said while there is no military solution to the crisis in Syria, the money would be another step toward helping the Syrian people defend themselves against attacks by the Assad regime.
President Obama had told the graduating class of the West Point military academy last month that the U.S. must push back against extremists who he said are finding safe haven in the chaos in Syria.
The Sunni rebellion in Syria has influenced Sunni extremists in their uprising in Iraq.
In New York Thursday, U.N. humanitarian affairs chief Valerie Amos said the Syrian government has put up bureaucratic obstacles and restrictions on where and when aid can be delivered.
She also blamed some rebel groups for attacking and threatening aid workers.
Amos says almost 11 million people in Syria need humanitarian aid.
Opposition boycotts Parliament In Antigua
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has warned that his administration is prepared for early by-elections as opposition legislators made good on their threat to boycott the first sitting of the new Parliament following the June 12 general election.
"I want to send a very clear message that we will ensure using our parliamentary majority that if members on the other side seek to undermine the work of this House and absent themselves for three consecutive sittings, then trust me you will have one or several by elections," he said to loud applause.
Former chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) Sir Gerald Watt was sworn in as Speaker of the new Parliament here on Wednesday after Opposition legislators kept their promise and boycotted the event.
The three Opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) legislators, including former Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, had indicated they would not attend the sitting, the first since the general election which the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party won by a 14-3 margin.
The Opposition legislators alleged that not enough notice had been given to them for the sitting.