TATT Hosts TBI Awards
The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago
LINKAGE Q4 (2024) - HUMAN FACTORS
The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) hosted its 2024 Telecommunications and Broadcasting Industry (TBI) Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in innovation, accessibility, sustainability and social impact across both the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors. The gala event, which was held on Saturday 14th December 2024 at the Hyatt Regency, Trinidad, brought together concessionaires and industry stakeholders to honour their contributions to shaping the industry over the last 20 years.
TATT presented awards to the 16 participating concessionaires in this competition, celebrating their collective role in advancing telecommunications and broadcasting in Trinidad and Tobago.
AWARD CATEGORIES WINNERS
The awards recognised winners in 9 categories, underscoring the critical role of telecommunications and broadcasting in fostering connectivity, enhancing local content, and driving societal change as follows:
1. Accessibility Award
2. Innovative Service Offering Awards
3. Innovative Broadcasters Award
4. Social Contribution Award
5. Sustainability Award
6. Technological Disrupter Awards
7. Connect the Unconnected Award
8. Local Content Award
9. Radio for Our People Award
Category Winners of the TBI Awards 2024
ACCESSIBILITY AWARD
Winner: Digicel ‘Trinidad and Tobago’ Limited
The Digicel Trinidad and Tobago Foundation’s Innovation Labs project invested US$121,927 to enhance education for students with disabilities, providing assistive devices and SMART tools. Partnering with education authorities, Digicel delivered teacher training and launched 2024 funding opportunities to equip more schools, in so doing, bridging the digital divide and promoting inclusive learning.
CONNECT THE UNCONNECTED
Winner: Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago
TSTT launched a mobile Wi-Fi solution over its LTE network, connecting PTSC buses and enhancing productivity for 728,000 daily commuters. Starting in 2022 with five buses, it expanded to 60 by March 2023, providing reliable, real-time connectivity on long routes like San Fernando to Port of Spain and Sangre Grande to Port of Spain.
INNOVATIVE BROADCASTER AWARD
Winner: Guardian Media Limited
Freedom 106.5 FM combines traditional radio with digital media, covering over 150 events in two years. Known as "the conference capital," it amplifies environmental, social, and governance initiatives, connects businesses with communities, and invests in advanced technology for live, flexible, and integrated coverage, making exclusive events accessible while delivering impactful, audience-driven content.
INNOVATIVE SERVICE OFFERING
Radio Broadcasters Winner: Guardian Media Limited
Freedom 106.5 FM launched For the Love of Country in 2023, a solution-driven initiative aimed at shifting the narrative from despair to empowerment, addressing crime as a societal issue requiring collective action. The initiative featured over 50 experts, community leaders, and activists, combining traditional media with digital streaming, offering accessible, live conversations on crime and its solutions across various sectors.
Television Broadcasters
Winner: Gayelle Limited
Aquí con Kyna is Trinidad and Tobago’s only Spanish-language talk show, serving the migrant community with news, achievements, and legal/cultural education. It uses fixed/mobile telecommunications, social media, and live interactions for broad accessibility. The show hosts interactive discussions, like women’s empowerment and fosters community engagement through Facebook live chat and telephone calls.
Telecommunications Service Providers
Winner: Digicel ‘Trinidad and Tobago’ Limited
Digicel partnered with the Ministry of Education to bridge the digital divide, providing 1,925 devices and free data to 34 special needs schools. They zero-rated over 30 educational websites, enabling free access to e-learning. Additionally, Digicel offered free 24/7 curriculum content through Digicel+ Video On Demand, supporting over 93,000 households for SEA, CAPE, and CSEC/CXC.
LOCAL CONTENT AWARD
Winner: Trinidad and Tobago Television Limited
TTT has showcased Trinidad and Tobago's cultural heritage with diverse programming, including award-winning documentaries, dramatic series, and musicals. Collaborations with FilmTT, FilmCo, and independent creators have fostered local storytelling, exemplified by projects like Mixed Up . TTT also supports filmmakers through initiatives like The TV Programmer for a Day , local sci-fi broadcasts, and festival participation, boosting local talent's visibility.
RADIO FOR ‘OUR’ PEOPLE
Winner: Guardian Media Limited
Freedom 106.5 amplifies positive stories of local heroes, artists, and community leaders to inspire and unify listeners. The station generates long-form content that highlights local culture, resilience, and innovation, with specific programs such as Human Impact and Betterments which focus on youth, culture, and innovation.
SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION AWARD
Winner: Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago
TSTT launched the Free Online Mathematics Revision Program in April 2020 to support students preparing for the CSEC mathematics exam during the COVID-19 pandemic, partnering with Restore A Sense of I Can to provide free access to essential materials for over 20,000 students. The program featured a zero-rated data initiative, enabling students from lower socio-economic backgrounds to participate in online learning without data costs.
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
Winner: Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago
TSTT deployed a solar-powered mobile network on Chacachacare Island, providing seamless 4G LTE coverage for citizens, fishermen, and boaters while protecting the island's sensitive ecosystem. The solar-powered system includes solar panels, battery backup for seven days of uninterrupted power, and eliminates the need for CO2-emitting generators, ensuring an eco-friendly solution.
TECHNOLOGICAL DISRUPTERS AWARD
Radio Broadcasters Winner: Guardian Media Limited
Guardian Media Limited transitioned to digital broadcasting, upgraded studio equipment, introduced podcasts, and enabled 24/7 live streaming. Investments in mobile equipment increased outside broadcasts by 20%, expanded rural and urban reach, improved sound quality, and bridged community-business gaps, delivering accurate, accessible information and cost-effective event coverage nationwide.
Television Broadcasters
Winner: Gayelle Limited
Gayelle disrupted the market when they introduced Aquí con Kyna , the first
and only Spanish and English talk show in Trinidad and Tobago. They leveraged technology by utilising social media to live stream their show on Facebook every Monday at 7:00p.m. to highlight migrant achievements, educate the migrant community about their rights, and provide news updates in Spanish. It was first aired on 4th March 2024.
Telecommunications Service Providers
Winner: Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago
TSTT's Fintech Digital Hub (FDH) modernises public sector financial processes such as MOWT’s self-service payments, replacing outdated, paper-based systems with digital solutions, enhancing operational efficiency and service accessibility for citizens and businesses. FDH includes e-Cashbook for real-time payment reconciliation and e-Pay for secure, aggregated transactions, supported by the upcoming PAYPR mobile wallet, integral to Trinidad and Tobago's Fintech strategy.
Congratulations to Our Winners!
RECOGNITION AWARD
RECOGNITION OF PIONEERS IN COMMUNITY TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND BROADCASTING
TATT also recognised the efforts of 9 minor-territorial and niche concessionaires. These concessionaries were awarded the Pioneering Innovators Award, in recognition of their valiant efforts in providing critical services to their communities, during an era when these communities were under-served or unserved.
The Pioneering Innovators Award was presented to:
1. Mr. Keenan Singh - Air Link Communications Limited
2. Mr. George Leacock, Mrs. Carol James and Mr. Garth James - Kaisoca Productions Limited
3. Ms. Vera Edwards - Toco Multicultural Foundation for Integrated Development
4. Mr. Claude Benoit - Trico Industries Limited
5. Mr. Safraaz Mohammed and Mr. Janak Moonilal - Diversified Technologies.
6. Mr. Rushton Paray - Network Technologies, also known as Mayaro Cable
7. Mr. Colin Gumbs - Santa Flora Cable Network Limited
8. Mr. Rajiv Dabideen - RVR International Limited