{"id":156101,"date":"2021-01-27T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-27T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=156101"},"modified":"2021-01-27T06:59:05","modified_gmt":"2021-01-27T11:59:05","slug":"ictp-139-exploring-the-telecoms-and-ict-space-of-trinidad-and-tobago-with-simon-fraser","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2021\/01\/ictp-139-exploring-the-telecoms-and-ict-space-of-trinidad-and-tobago-with-simon-fraser\/","title":{"rendered":"ICTP 139:  Exploring the telecoms and ICT space of Trinidad and Tobago, with Simon Fraser of TTCS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>On this the latest episode of our \u2018Know Your Neighbours\u2019 series, we explore the telecoms and ICT space of the resource-rich and culturally diverse twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, with Simon Fraser of the Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" height=\"166\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" allow=\"autoplay\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?url=https%3A\/\/api.soundcloud.com\/tracks\/973627021&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true\"><\/iframe><div style=\"font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/user-673719274\" title=\"ICT Pulse Podcast\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;\" rel=\"noopener\">ICT Pulse Podcast<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/user-673719274\/ictp-139-exploring-the\" title=\"ICTP 139: Exploring the telecoms and ICT space of Trinidad and Tobago, with Simon Fraser of TTCS\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;\" rel=\"noopener\">ICTP 139: Exploring the telecoms and ICT space of Trinidad and Tobago, with Simon Fraser of TTCS<\/a><\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This episode is also available in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/ict-pulse-podcast\/id1373550291\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Apple iTunes<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/playmusic.app.goo.gl\/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&amp;isi=691797987&amp;ius=googleplaymusic&amp;apn=com.google.android.music&amp;link=https:\/\/play.google.com\/music\/m\/Icau5acn2xiyl5yjuh7orl2mt54?t%3DICT_Pulse_Podcast%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Play Music<\/a> and on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stitcher.com\/podcast\/ict-pulse-podcast?refid=stpr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stitcher<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Welcome to another episode in our \u2018Know Your Neighbours\u2019 series. With over a dozen episodes under our belt, you may be surprised to know that we had not covered this country before:\u00a0 Trinidad and Tobago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Located south of Grenada and north east of Venezuela, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is the southernmost Caribbean island in the archipelago. Also known as the twin-island republic, Trinidad and Tobago covers a combines area of 5,131 square kilometres (or 1,981 square miles) and has a population of nearly 1.4\u00a0million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That population is ethnically diverse, with individuals of Indian and African descent comprise the largest segments. However, recently, and thanks to the influx of Venezuelans into Trinidad and Tobago, due to the economic and humanitarian crises that country has been experiencing over the past several years, the Venezuelan segment of the population has been growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This intermingling of peoples has resulted in considerable cultural diversity. The country is the birthplace of the steelpan, and of calypso music, among other musical genres. Moreover, and\u00a0at this time of the year, had it not been for COVID-19, activities leading up to Carnival, which culminates on the days leading you to Ash Wednesday (which this year falls on 17 February), would be in high gear<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Economy-wise, and unlike the majority of Caribbean islands, Trinidad and Tobago is resource-rich, with oil and natural gas, the country is among the wealthiest in the region, with a per capita gross national income of over USD&nbsp;20,000. However, the volatility of the oil market in recent years, has precipitated the implementation of an economic diversification programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introducing our guest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"156102\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2021\/01\/ictp-139-exploring-the-telecoms-and-ict-space-of-trinidad-and-tobago-with-simon-fraser\/simon-fraser-s-fraser\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Simon-Fraser-S-Fraser.jpg?fit=480%2C521&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"480,521\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 4S&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1362669428&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;1.85&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Simon Fraser (S Fraser)\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Simon Fraser&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Simon-Fraser-S-Fraser.jpg?fit=276%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Simon-Fraser-S-Fraser.jpg?fit=480%2C521&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fgd.dfv.mybluehost.me\/.website_c81a1e61\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Simon-Fraser-S-Fraser.jpg?resize=230%2C250&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-156102\" width=\"230\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Simon-Fraser-S-Fraser.jpg?w=480&amp;ssl=1 480w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Simon-Fraser-S-Fraser.jpg?resize=276%2C300&amp;ssl=1 276w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/simon-fraser-9011016\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Simon Fraser<\/a><\/strong> is the Chair of the Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society, a user group where computers, related technologies and related social issues are discussed.\u00a0 He is also a Lecturer in Information Systems, eCommerce and Information Security, at the St Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), in Trinidad and Tobago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prior to working at the UWI, Simon served as the general manager of the ISP Group, a consortium of three internet service providers in Trinidad. His professional background also included being responsible for the information systems and services of the Tourism and Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), along with marketing roles at ICL (now known as Fujitsu-Transaction Systems) in Trinidad and the wider Caribbean. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Insights into our conversation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Trinidad and Tobago can be seen as a bit of a paradox. A country that an important centre for business, transport and industry in the Caribbean region, but one that takes fun very seriously. Similar to many countries in the region, there has been considerable investment in infrastructure, but it may not yet be leveraged to the degree one might have hoped. However, the changes in how we live and work, due to COVID-19 has given the country and its leaders a sense of what might be possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In our conversation with Simon, he was eager to emphasise how vulnerable the region\u2019s telecoms and ICT infrastructure is, evidenced by the<strong><em> <a href=\"https:\/\/fgd.dfv.mybluehost.me\/.website_c81a1e61\/2021\/01\/why-is-internet-in-the-caribbean-still-so-vulnerable\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">loss of off-island connectivity<\/a><\/em><\/strong> that Trinidad and Tobago, along with several other countries in the Eastern Caribbean, experienced in December 2020. However, some of the questions posed during the course of our discussion included the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" type=\"1\"><li>Can you give us a quick overview of Trinidad and Tobago?<\/li><li>With regard to telecoms and ICT, how developed is it in Trinidad and Tobago? How robust is the competition in the market?<\/li><li>How accessible are those services? Are there parts of the country that are not fully served?<\/li><li>Is telecommunications and ICT services affordable in Trinidad and Tobago? How is the quality of broadband service?<\/li><li>In your opinion, to what degree is the Government and private sector in Trinidad and Tobago leveraging ICT?<\/li><li>What is it like being an entrepreneur in Trinidad and Tobago? What do you think about the country\u2019s start-up environment\/ start-up culture?<\/li><li>What are some of the tech-related or tech business related-trends you are seeing in Trinidad and Tobago?<\/li><li>What are some of the ICT\/tech-related opportunities that you see in Trinidad and Tobago?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p> &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>We would love to hear from you!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ICTPulse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Facebook<\/strong><\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/ict-pulse-consulting-limited\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>LinkedIn<\/strong><\/a> pages, or via Twitter, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ICTPulse\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>@ICTPulse<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Select links<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/simon-fraser-9011016\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Simon Fraser<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sta.uwi.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of the West indies (St Augustine)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/ttcs.tt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.digicelgroup.com\/tt.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Digicel Trinidad and Tobago<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/discoverflow.co\/trinidad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Liberty\/ Flow Trinidad and Tobago<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tstt.co.tt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago<\/a><\/li><li>Trinidad and Tobago Express article, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/trinidadexpress.com\/business\/local\/tstt-building-5g-for-new-industrial-park\/article_7f545302-4a3b-11eb-9b63-cb809fcf4c45.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TSTT building 5G for new industrial park<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p> &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Image credits:  Wikipedia;  Wikimedia Commons; S Fraser<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Music credit:  Ray Holman<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> &nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On this the latest episode of our \u2018Know Your Neighbours\u2019 series, we explore the telecoms and ICT space of the resource-rich and culturally diverse twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, with Simon Fraser of the Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":156103,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[355],"tags":[71,330,48,357,50],"class_list":["post-156101","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-podcast","tag-businesses","tag-digital-transformation","tag-infrastructure","tag-interviews","tag-productivity","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Trinidad-and-Tobago-Featured-Image.jpg?fit=1024%2C791&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2iE1G-EBL","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156101","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=156101"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156101\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":156128,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156101\/revisions\/156128"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/156103"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=156101"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=156101"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=156101"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}