The main players in the Trinidad  & Tobago  telecommunications market are:

• Digicel (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited: provides fixed voice, mobile, internet services, fiber-based network services
• Columbus Communications Trinidad Limited (Flow): offers fixed voice, internet services, and TV subscription services
• Telecommunications Services of Trinidad & Tobago ("TSTT"): Is majority state-owned, operating under its bmobile brand, provides fixed voice, fixed wireless network, mobile services, and internet services
• Amplia Communications Limited, a subsidiary of TSTT: provides internet and TV subscription services

For completeness, other internet service providers include Airlink Communications, Lisa Communications, Green Dot, Open Telecom Limited, Novo Communications Limited, Neptune Communications (Trinidad & Tobago Limited), PBS Technologies Limited, RVR International Limited, Starlink Internet Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited, Wired Technologies and Prism Services (Trinidad) Limited 

According to the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago ("TATT"), in 2024, Trinidad & Tobago’s market revenue was as follows:

• Internet ( fixed and mobile): 45%
• Mobile voice: 16/7%
• TV subscription: 11.6%
• Free-to-air TV: 3.2%
• FTA Radio: 6.2%
• Broadcasting: 16.8

Based on a report by TATT in 2024, the industry generated revenues of approximately TTD$5.3 billion dollars or USD 781 million dollars – the telecommunications industry contributed $TTD 4.3 billion, and broadcasting continued TTD 1.0 billion dollars.

There were 1,790,000 mobile voice subscriptions and 965,200 mobile internet subscriptions in 20224. Fixed voice subscriptions and TV subscriptions decreased by 4.2 % to 297,700 and by 3% to 209,900, respectively. 

In the mobile and internet markets, Digicel (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited and Telecommunication Services of Trinidad & Tobago Services ("TSTT") via its brand - bmobile - remain the two key competitors for these markets. 

According to TATT, the telecommunications industry saw an increase in total gross revenue of 0.8%, primarily in the internet market, between 2023 and 2024, in fixed mobile and internet services. While changes or amendments to the telecommunications legislation are advancing at a slower pace than technological advancement, there have been developments. TSTT launched 5G for mobile services in Trinidad & Tobago through bmobile for its fixed wireless access network. Digicel also provides services. Through its partnership with Neptune Communications, TSTT also offers broadband services via satellite connectivity 

Telecommunications in Trinidad and Tobago are regulated by the Telecommunications Act Chapter 47:31(the “ Act”). The Act establishes the procedure for being granted a license and a concession in order to operate telecommunications networks, sets out the fees for both, technical standards applied by the regulator, the powers of the regulator to test and inspect for compliance, and sets out offences arising out of noncompliance.

The Telecommunications (Fees) Regulations 2006 (“The Fees Regulations”) are also relevant. TATT is the regulator of the telecommunications sector in Trinidad and Tobago.

According to Section 36(1) of the Act, where “radio-communication services” are established or “radio-transmitting equipment” is installed, a licence must be granted by TATT. The Act defines radiocommunication services as those services which involve the “transmission, emission or reception of electromagnetic waves for telecommunication purposes”. All of the above services involve the use of electromagnetic waves. They are therefore all radio-communication services for the purpose of the Act and therefore the establishment of any of these services requires a licence. The Act also states that where a spectrum- a “continuous range of electromagnetic wave frequencies”- is required, the licence application proceeds as part of the concession application. 

Section 36 of the Act outlines the procedure for the granting of a licence, which requires the submission of an application, the publishing of the notice of licence in the Gazette and a newspaper and the publishing of the terms of the licence. The application fee for a Cellular Mobile Spectrum Licence is set at $32,000TTD and the application fee for a Spectrum Licence for TV is set at $100.

According to the Fees Regulations, TATT may grant licences for spectrum by way of an auction or other competitive process and in such circumstances, the procedures set out in the Telecommunications Tenders Rules 2004 apply. 

Concessions are required whenever a public telecommunications network is operated or a public telecommunications or broadcasting service is provided. The application for a concession must be submitted by the applicant to TATT, which will then publish a notice of the receipt of the application in the Gazette and one daily newspaper. TATT may set a deadline for objections to be raised of at least 28 days and will consider any objections raised within the set period. After consideration, TATT will send its recommendations to the Minister within 90 days and the Minister will decide within 60 days of receipt whether to grant the concession. TATT will publish the granting of a concession and its terms. If the Minister does not decide within 60 days of receipt, the concession is deemed granted. The obligations imposed by a concession are outlined in Section 22 of the Act. 

The Fees Regulations state that TATT must issue an invoice to the relevant concessionaire of the fee as set out in the First Schedule (S3(1)). The application fee for a concession for network services for domestic mobile is set at TTD$32,000. The application fee for a concession for virtual network services is set at TTD$8000 for national or major territorial and $1000 for niche or minor territorial. The application fee for a concession for broadcast services by subscription is TTD$1000.

No. The Act does not set out any foreign ownership restrictions on telecom operators. However, there are certain licence and notice requirements under Trinidad & Tobago’s Foreign Investment Act Chap. 70:07, which may be applicable to a foreign entity’s incorporation or acquisition of land locally.

The Act provides that prices may be determined by providers according to supply and demand unless the provider operating a public telecommunications network or providing a public telecommunications service has a “dominant position” in the market or “cross-subsidizes another telecommunications service” or TATT considers that “anti-competitive pricing or acts of unfair competition” are occurring.

When TATT is permitted to regulate pricing, they do so by publishing “pricing rules and principles” which must be “fair and reasonable and… prohibit discrimination”. 

The Act requires that when there is a change of control, the provider receive TATT’s prior written approval both for the granted concession and the licence (S37), though the licence approval should not be unreasonably withheld. 

In accordance with Section 28 (1) of the Act, TATT shall determine the public telecommunications services in respect of which the requirement of universal service shall apply. It is achieved when the entire population can access affordable telecommunications services either individually or shared, e.g., internet kiosks or community access centres

Under the telecommunications legislation in Trinidad & Tobago, interconnection is required. The Act requires that TATT establish guidelines and standards to facilitate interconnection and has provisions dealing with such matters as interconnection agreements, number portability, dialing parity and telephone number access.

Secondary legislation is the Telecommunications (Interconnection) Regulations, 2006, aims to ensure that there is fair competition and interoperability among telecommunications service providers. 

By the Act, TATT is required to plan, supervise, regulate and manage the use of the radio frequency spectrum, including the licensing and registration of radio frequencies and call signs to be used by all stations operating in Trinidad and Tobago.

Additionally, by its Spectrum Management Framework, the TATT intends to adopt licensing practices that are based on a market-oriented system (flexible approach), like coordinating shared spectrum use to increase the efficiency of overall spectrum utilization. 

As mentioned, while there are no general obligations in the Act since 2004 on licensees that require spectrum coordination, owing to the powers given to TATT under the Act, this is likely to be the case. Since 2004, spectrum authorisation or licensing in Trinidad and Tobago has been generally classified according to individual licences and class licences.

The procedural framework adopted for spectrum management in Trinidad and Tobago was generally in conformity with the ITU Radio Regulations and, except in certain cases, specifically in accordance with the allocations for the region.

Yes. Construction of infrastructure (towers, antennae, fiber) require the permission at the national and local levels. Generally, TATT’s functions include ensuring the orderly and systematic development of telecommunications, which would include seeing that the construction and use of telecommunications structures are done in an orderly and beneficial way. 

Despite this, TATT has no clear authority under the Act to regulate the manner in which collocation is agreed between a concessionaire and an infrastructure provider who is not a concessionaire if a dispute arises.

Further, neither TATT nor national/local legislation provides authority to mandate that only concessionaires should be allowed to erect telecommunications structures.

TATT is empowered to regulate terms and conditions for access to any facility, including the physical component of telecommunications equipment (passive elements of networks). There is a process whereby a written request is made, negotiations should be done in good faith and access should not be unreasonably withheld. TATT has the authority to deal with any disputes that arise

Yes, subject to TATT’s authority to provide authorization for physical components of facilities of telecommunications networks.

The Act does not limit the mechanisms for applying for concessions and licences and TATT has the power to determine the manner in which applications are submitted and the process to be followed. 

The process involves the completion of an application form (available online), submitted to TATT along with the payment of the prescribed fee. The regulator will consider the application and notify the applicant of its determination within ninety (90) days of receipt of the application. Notices are also published.

Yes.

Under the Act, TATT has the authority to regulate and supervise the operation of telecommunication equipment and devices.

TATT approval is typically required. In some cases, approval from TATT is required for the importation or operation of telecommunications equipment and devices, such as wireless devices, transmitters, and broadcasting equipment, to ensure they comply with technical standards (such as acceptable FCC or CE reports, RF transmitting equipment). 

The Act does not explicitly deal with OTT services. TATT has determined that OTT communication services may be classified as public telecommunications networks under the Act and subject to the obligations under the Act. For other categories of OTT services, that is, which are not functionally equivalent to traditional services and/or do not use numbering or spectrum resources, sector-specific regulation may not be required to the same extent. 

In terms of TV subscriptions, a key player is Columbus Communications Trinidad Limited (Flow).

The Act is the primary legislation that applies to telecommunications and broadcasting, although not explicitly, the TATT is the authority that regulates the sector. While aspects of OTT VoIP may be considered public telecommunications services and subject to the Act ( for which a licence would be needed), it does not regulate services over the Internet.

Audiovisual works (films, sound recordings, broadcasts) are protected by copyright and related rights automatically under the law of Trinidad and Tobago; no formal registration or other formalities are required to obtain copyright protection. 

Under the Act, free-to-air TV, radio, and subscription audiovisual services require a licence (spectrum, station, class). Approval must be sought from TATT.

Under the Act, approval must be sought from TATT.

No. The Act does not set out any foreign ownership restrictions on telecom operators. 

This will be dependent on TATT.

The Act currently does not require production companies and advertising agencies to follow standard corporate registration laws, but not subject to the Act.  Production companies are not subject to registration. There is a state company, the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company (FilmTT), which manages the local film sector and production companies seeking tax rebate (The Art and Culture Allowance for audio, visual and video productions) may need to register with FilmTT.

Advertising agencies are primarily self-regulated by professional bodies such as the Advertising Agencies Association of Trinidad & Tobago ("AAATT"). In terms of media licensing, broadcasters (TV, radio, cable, satellite) require licenses to broadcast copyrighted music and other works from local collective management organizations.

Not currently.

There are no current requirements. 

Not currently.

No, it is not a requirement to carry certain free-to-air channels; TATT requires all operators to obtain the requisite rights to broadcast any channels, including free-to-air ones. 

There are standards governed by the Bureau of Standards regarding standards for the content and presentation of advertisements that are published, aired or accessed on local media, regardless of country of origin (for specific goods and services and political advertising, but excluding food, drugs, cosmetics and devices, pesticides and toxic chemicals).

Yes, there are prohibitions against advertisement of (a) tobacco, (b) pornography or advertisement likely to be understood as conveying child pornography to children (the Children’s Act 2012), (c) food which is prohibited under the Food & Drugs Act Chap. 30:01.

Trinidad and Tobago does not have a mandatory registry. Advertisers are self-regulated.

Some audiovisual services may be subject to tax (e.g., corporation tax).

At present, OTT platforms are not regulated by the Act or TATT. 

There are no specific laws governing AI in Trinidad & Tobago at this time.

There are no specific laws governing AI in Trinidad & Tobago at this time.

There are no specific laws governing AI in Trinidad & Tobago at this time.

The current frameworks for cybersecurity are a work in progress. The primary legislation is the Computer Misuse Act 2000 and the Data Protection Act 2011, which are partially proclaimed. A Cybercrime Bill introduced in 2017 aimed at replacing the CMA but has not progressed.  

There have been public consultations by the Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago on a cybersecurity guideline for the financial sector and also by TATT on guidelines for cybersecurity of public telecommunications networks. 

There is a national cybersecurity strategy – 2012 National Cyber Security Strategy - which outlines the government's objectives for cybersecurity governance, protection of critical infrastructure, and incident management (through the Trinidad and Tobago Computer Security Incident Response Team - TT-CSIRT).

At present, the government, through the Ministry of Public Administration and AI, is working on a national cyber awareness and capacity building initiative. 

As mentioned above, there have been guidelines introduced for telecommunications and finance for public consultation. Other sectors are subject to the partially proclaimed Data Protection Act. 

Not at this time.

Other than that might exist under the general data principles under the DPA, not at this time. 

There is no mandatory requirement for companies to coordinate with authorities; however, companies in the telecommunications or finance industries ought to follow the guidelines set out in those industries. Companies can coordinate with TT-CSIRT (Technical Assistance) or the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service’s Cyber Crime.

The Computer Misuse Act makes special provisions for cyber-related offences. Under the DPA, the operative aspects of the law which deal with offences have not yet been proclaimed.

Yes, Trinidad & Tobago is subject to several cooperation agreements with other countries, for example, Canada, Dominican Republic, Panama, Columbia and international bodies such as the World Trade Organization ("WTO") and the Caribbean Community ("CARICOM"), Cariforum ILO, Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters.

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago, through the Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence ("MPAAI"), participated in September 2025 in the global 50-in-5 campaign aimed at developing Digital Public Infrastructure ("DPI") (example, digital identification, public services, electronic transactions for taxes and government services) in a safe, inclusive, and seamless manner.