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TATT enforces TSTT mobile upgrade
By Sasha Harrinanan Saturday, April 14 2012
TSTT has launched a major handset upgrade which requires customers whose mobile phones use the 1800 megahertz (MHz) radio frequency to trade in their handsets for ones that operate on TSTT’s other frequencies.
In a statement issued yesterday, the TSTT said this had become necessary because it was required to relinquish that radio frequency spectrum to the Telecommunications Authority (TATT).
“As a result (TSTT) will deactivate the component of its mobile network that uses this spectrum on May 31, 2012. This will impact...tens of thousands of customers...and the company is rolling out a multi-million dollar handset swap campaign to keep these valuable customers connected,” TSTT said.
The free handset exchange started yesterday, April 13, and will run until May 31, when TATT takes formal control of the 1800 MHz spectrum.
“Owing to the volume of customers likely to be affected,” TSTT explained, “more than 145 dealer locations have been authorised to facilitate the trade-ins and will be aware of those customers who are due to receive an upgrade.” Affected customers will be contacted directly by TSTT by text message and/or phone call and their identities will be verified when they go to trade-in their phones at TSTT dealers.
Beware though of waiting until the last minute, so to speak, to trade in your phone. TSTT yesterday warned customers they “may not have access to a free upgraded handset once the trade-in deadline is past.”
Anyone considering keeping their old phones won’t be able to make calls or send text messages after May 31 because the 1800 MHz frequency would no longer support mobile phone services.
Questioned about the seemingly sudden need for TSTT to relinquish one of its mobile phone frequencies, TATT’s chief executive officer (CEO), Cris Seecharan, told Newsday the handover was actually mandated since 2005.
“The International Telecommunications Union, ITU, has recommended that the Americas region use the 850/1900 MHz spectrum for mobile phone services. When TATT was established in 2004, TSTT was using 850/1800 MHz, so around 2005, we informed the company it would have to migrate from 1800MHz to 1900 MHz in order for us to have a level playing field for incoming telecom providers,” Seecharan explained. At that time, Digicel and Laqtel were preparing to enter the market, which Digicel alone did successfully as Laqtel did not get off the ground.
TATT’s CEO said TSTT was given at least five years to complete this significant migration of customers from one frequency to another. However when the deadline approached last year (2011), Seecharan said the company requested more time, which TATT agreed to.
“We also gave TSTT additional MHz in the 1900 MHz range to facilitate the transition, so I find it curious that the company’s press release fails to mention how long in coming this switch-over has really been.
“The important thing however, is that effective May 31, 2012 all mobile phone service providers will operate on the same dual band frequency — 850/1900 MHz,” Seecharan said.
TSTT officials declined to say how many customers are affected and how much the handset trade in will cost.
Hook wrote:noob questions here:
How can one tell if one's handset is part of the recall?
Or is is that all phones sold after 2005 are 850-1900mhz enabled?
*paging Piasso*
Hook wrote:noob questions here:
How can one tell if one's handset is part of the recall?
Or is is that all phones sold after 2005 are 850-1900mhz enabled?
*paging Piasso*
manager wrote:Hmm is this upgrade 3G???
Looks like an impending Digicel vs Bmobile 3G war is brewing, can't wait!
manager wrote:Hmm is this upgrade 3G???
Looks like an impending Digicel vs Bmobile 3G war is brewing, can't wait!
.... skylinechild wrote:^^actually redman i knew about this since last yr march / april......got it in an email i didn't think it was important that i say anything.....and the REAL reason why they giving up the frequency is ............* internet connection cuts out.....
Hook wrote:noob questions here:
How can one tell if one's handset is part of the recall?
Or is is that all phones sold after 2005 are 850-1900mhz enabled?
*paging Piasso*
skylinechild wrote:* wonders what frequency these operate on......
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