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Establish a Telecoms Operation

Telecommunications (Telecoms) is the economic engine of growth in the current Digital Age. New communication technologies are spreading rapidly and creating a global village of which Jamaica is committed to being an active participant. The Jamaican Telecommunications Sector includes radio, television, fixed and mobile telephones, and the Internet.

The liberalisation of the Jamaican telecommunications market at the turn of the century has created numerous opportunities for investors to address the increase in demand for telecommunication services. Already Jamaica has witnessed a proliferation of new wireless telecommunication services, which have increased the need for more developed and extensive telecommunications infrastructure.

The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) regulates the telecommunications sector in Jamaica through the Telecommunications Act, 2000. Under the provisions of the Act, the OUR will, among other things, regulate specified services and facilities, receive and process applications for Telecoms licences and promote the interest of customers.

In order to establish a Telecoms Operation in Jamaica, the licensing process must be initiated by the Minister with portfolio responsibility for Telecommunications, being the Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, who will issue a directive specifying the number and type of licences to be issued.

How to Establish a Telecoms Operation

The Process
Process Quick Tips
  1. Applicants should note the disclosure requirements of the Telecommunications Act, 2000 and any Rules and Regulations made pursuant to this Act. The OUR strongly recommends that applicants rely on independent legal advice in preparing applications and prior to their submission to the OUR.
  2. All supporting material submitted with individual applications which may contain sensitive/confidential information concerning business or commercial or financial affairs should be submitted along with the application in a sealed envelope marked "Confidential Information". Where the OUR proposes to disclose any such information, it will give the Applicant reasonable notice and an opportunity to make representations to the OUR before making its final decision on disclosure of such information.
  3. All applications and supporting documentation become the property of the OUR upon submission. The OUR reserves the right, subject to the relevant and applicable confidentiality provisions of the legislation, to make public the names of corporate entities which have submitted applications, as well as, such information about the contents of the applications as it deems appropriate. Members of the public and other interested parties will have the right to inspect all applications and supporting documentation and to submit comments to the OUR.
  4. Applicants are required to notify the OUR of any change to the information submitted with the application. Notification should be done within fifteen (15) working days after the deadline for the submission of applications.
  5. Applicants are required to meet all costs arising from:
    • the preparation and submission of applications
    • providing any additional information requested and the processing of each application including responding to public comments and attending at and making submissions to the OUR concerning these applications. The Office, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Government of Jamaica will not accept responsibility or liability for such costs, regardless of whether a licence is granted.

For more information about establishing a Telecoms Operation, visit the OUR website.