|
|
|
|
A Word From BT&P Managing Director, Ing. J.D. De Canha
Esteemed Patron,
Thank you for visiting The Bureau Telecommunication and Post (BT&P) website, the regulatory body for Telecommunications and Postal matters in the Netherlands Antilles. We are an organization who strives to foster the positive growth of the Telecommunications and Postal segments in the Netherlands Antilles through excellence, supported by our talented staff.
In response to the WTO General Agreement on Basic Telecommunication, better known as GATS, which promotes liberalization of all government owned monopolies, states that the independent status of the national regulator is key in guarantying an efficient functioning organ who promotes fair competition and development of liberalized markets. In following with these recommendations, the government of the Netherlands Antilles, in 1995, decided to liberalize the market as per January 1st 2001. Bureau Telecommunication was established in 1996, and was given the responsibility of opening and regulating local and international communications by radio, wire, and satellite within the Netherlands Antilles, initially as a government entity guiding the deregulation process. In 2001 subsequent to the liberalization and in keeping with the recommendations of the GATS as set by the WTO, BT&P was transformed into an independent body in order to guarantee neutrality; given the status of the incumbents.
BT&P is an independent government agency within the Netherlands Antilles, directly responsible to the Minister of Telecommunications and the Secretary of State of the Netherlands Antilles. BT&P is managed by one director; appointed by the Minister of Traffic and Communication of the Netherlands Antilles. The Director supervises all BT&P activities, delegating responsibilities to the respective department heads appointed by him. The department heads in turn manages their department and respective staff members towards our common goal.
As part of the Dutch Kingdom, we function in a similar manner as the Telecommunication regulatory agencies in the Netherlands. However, we do vary in that BT&P performs all functions managed by the three Dutch agencies regulating telecommunications in the Netherlands, under one umbrella. In doing so, we are able to attain certain synergistic benefits, efficiencies and insight, due to the economy of scale and scope principles we are subject to. As a result, this helps us streamline the decision taking process, and thus we are able to provide prompt and superior service to our local operators, license holders and public in general.
We pride our selves in being an organization that goes above and beyond our original edict of being a regulator, and thus function also as an initiator and facilitator in the development of the Telecommunication and Postal segments. This has helped us flourish relative our counter parts globally, where we have been the first country in the region to deploy GSM, UMTS, CDMA, DVB-T, WiMAX and Next Generation Broadband Networks in every instance. By following through in such manner, we will guarantee a seamless and successful transition towards our digital future, by narrowing the digital devide.
In 1998 Postal regulatory responsibilities were added to the Bureau of Telecommunication (BT) charter, thus transforming us into the Bureau of Telecommunication and Post (BT&P). In lieu of our successes, we have been recently requested by the Antillean Government to lead the Internet Gaming Commission, in regulating and guiding the Internet Gaming industry operating within our jurisdiction into the proper direction.
Our vision into the future is primarily driven by an interconnected Caribbean which will guarantee the growth of our region. Based on emerging complexities, we see a future where all stakeholders, including regulators, will have to live in a new world of further cooperation and mutual support through out our region.
We remain at your service, always ready to promote the good governance of the telecommunication and postal services in the Netherlands Antilles. We govern our selves by strict rules of ethics and conduct, thus maintaining a fair and just market environment in the Telecommunication and Postal sector of the Netherlands Antilles. We are here to serve the greater interest of Telecommunications and Postal matters in the Netherlands Antilles, in an effort to foster the positive growth of our communication avenues.
We appreciate your patronage,
Ing. J.D. De Canha
|
|
|
