THE Regulated Industries Commission (RIC) has instructed the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) to make the wide range of services it offers more accessible to low-income earners in the society. In a statement yesterday, RIC executive director Harjinder Atwai said the RIC's review of TSTT's financial statements for the period 1999 to 2003 revealed that "TSTT earned annually a 'rate of return' consistently above 15 percent."

He said on the basis of this information, the RIC has recommended to TSTT that it consider a range of services to benefit all customers. "In the RIC's judgment, TSTT can adjust its charges downward and provide these services to the benefit of customers without seriously compromising its profitability and future growth. The RIC has also suggested that TSTT reduce its international calling rates," Atwai declared.

Atwai also said the Commission determined that the present operations of "international call centres" are illegal under the laws of TT as they are unlicensed. Atwai added that in furtherance of consultations and discussions with telephone service providers, other stakeholders and the public, the RIC will publish its findings and reasons for its determinations.