ECTEL Press Release — Castries, Saint Lucia — 8th September 2021
The need to enhance consumer protection rights relating to electronic communications services was the central theme at the 21st ECTEL/NTRC Consultative Forum held on 3rd September 2021, under the theme ‘From liberalisation to digital transformation.’ ECTEL Chairman Gregory Shillingford said the pandemic “laid bare a number of concerns” including lack of access to service by families and students in underserved geographic areas, unaffordable costs, and challenges with quality of service. Key updates from the five member states: Dominica is increasing consumer complaint handling and has established five community WiFi projects under the Universal Service Fund (USF). Grenada intends to advance its legislative framework through the Electronic Communications (EC) Bill. St. Kitts and Nevis passed the EC Act on 18 February 2021, and is working on digitisation of the healthcare system and addressing interference at amateur radio stations. Saint Lucia is ramping up its public awareness campaign and staging consumer forums with service providers. St. Vincent and the Grenadines plans to connect 340 households with subsidised internet and provide connectivity to 1,000 tablet-holding students. ECTEL Acting Managing Director Ms. Cheryl Hector Fontenelle outlined plans to promote consumer interest through education and awareness programmes, modernise spectrum management, promote affordable broadband access, and develop regulatory frameworks for digital transformation and quality of service monitoring.