Figure 7: Telecommunications Investment and Revenue in SVG 2004 –2008 Source: ECTEL/Operators (includes estimates where ECTEL did not receive data) Figure 7 shows a constant level of investment as the country has marginal increases and decreases in GDP. It has been observed (see Figure 8) that revenues from the telecommunications operators has been on a steady incline since 2002 and reached the one hundred and fifty million mark in 2007. However in 2008, there was a slight decrease in the revenue received. This decrease was possibly due to the onset of the global economic crisis which has impacted most sectors in SVG. The revenue generated in 2009 was slightly higher than 2008. THE POLICY, LEGAL & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK May 2010 marked the 10th Anniversary of the ECTEL Treaty which presented a joint, harmonised, cost-effective approach to telecommunication regulations in the OECS, consistent with the thrust towards regional integration. ECTEL strongly supports the work of the National Regulatory Telecommunications Commission (NRTC). The NRTC was established with the passing of the Telecommunications Act 2001. It regulates the telecommunications industry in SVG and is guided closely in its activities by the Eastern 1.3 Figure 8: Investment of Companies in Telecoms Source: NTRC Annual Report 2009 Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL). NTRC’s responsibilities include telecommunication regulation, technical and broadcasting regulation, licensing and fee collection, setting of technical standards, interconnection and dispute resolution, price regulation and providing advisory services to the government on telecommunications matters such as anti-competitive practices. It represents government in international telecommunications organizations and agencies, and ensures compatibility with the standards of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). On the other hand, the Ministry for Telecommunications, Science, Technology and Innovation, through its Information Technology Services Division (ITSD), manage ICT in the public sector. It is responsible for ICT policy, ICT services, standardization and awareness of ICT within SVG. The NTRC is responsible for managing the Universal Service Fund (USF) which was established under Section 42 of the Telecommunications Act of 2001. This fund is intended to compensate telecommunications providers who are required to provide universal service. This service is typically Internet access and telecommunications to schools, hospitals, clinics, community and Learning Resource Centres, public voice telephony to rural communities and underserved areas, facilities for the differently abled, and provision of some maritime services. The USF is funded by payments made by telecommunications providers according to the Telecommunication (Universal Service Fund) Contribution Order 2008 which was gazetted on 22nd April 2008, with retroactive effect from 1st January 2008. The USF regulations were gazetted on 16th September 2008, and the Defining the Re-launching Point P a g e | 25