Page 18 - CANCION 1ST QTR 2020

Coming out of those consultations, service providers More importantly, technology was in place to assist
agreed to the provision of low-cost packages as well with collecting, analysing and managing data relating
as additional services free of charge to the consumer. to COVID-19, to aid evidence-based decision making
These included improvements to voice, Internet and on where cases were occurring and what resources were
SMS packages, amongst others. required by area.

Universal connectivity was paramount! Did TATT do anything differently? Yes, we did! The
As a part of this response effort, TATT also worked key in this COVID-19 experience seems to be (1)
with the Ministry of Public Administration to provide innovative policy and regulatory measures designed
services to low-income households that did not have to protect the consumer by ensuring that communities
access to Internet services. This was to facilitate a remain connected and (2) response time.
timely emergency communication of bulletins issued
by the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry That was spurred on by our willingness to consult openly
of Health regarding COVID-19. and positively, the support of our operators, and a unified
need to harness the full potential of information and
Working with the broadcasters and the Ministry of communications technologies (ICTs) to save the lives
Communications, educating the children who had SEA, of our citizens and safeguard their economic welfare in
CSEC and CAPE went on the television commencing the longer term.
with the state station ─ TTT.
Success could not have come without the support of our
With connectivity at the national level assured, TATT operators who must be commended for their positivity,
turned inward to ensure its business continuity by enhanced sense of corporate social responsibility and
moving its operations online. Leveraging information same-day response.
technology (IT) as its enabler, TATT commenced a
two to three-day work-from-home arrangement for its As a regulator, TATT was stretched to think innovatively,
staff, with front-facing staff set up to work remotely to react quickly and cut through red tape to achieve the
continue to provide consumer support. immediate needs and desired goals. There was no time
for pausing.
By the time the Government’s stay-at-home order was in
place, the organisation was virtual; consumers had access After COVID-19, our countries, the way we do business
and the underserved were coming into the mainstream and, more so, our use of ICTs will never be the same,
of the digital world. and perhaps time will show it will be for the better.

Connectivity was in place. The public was informed
and kept up to date via the print media and the web
interfaces – website and social media channels – on how
to do business with us in the new environment.

.
https://tatt.org.tt
Find us: wwwtatt.org.tt
16 CANCION 1ST QTR 2020