SMA Collects $74.3 Million in Regulatory Fees

The Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) collected $74.3 million in regulatory fees for the 2004/05 fiscal year, exceeding the target of $67.3 million, which was set for the year.
This is set out in Ministry Paper Number 53 which highlights the performance of the SMA for 2004/05, and outlines the focus for the 2005/06 fiscal year. Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology, Phillip Paulwell tabled the document in the House of Representatives yesterday (June 1).
Regulatory fees collected by the SMA last year included $55.9 million from cellular companies, $10.2 million from private radio, and $5.9 million from Very Small Ampture Terminal (VSAT).
According to the Paper, a further $30.9 million was collected in spectrum licence fees during the fiscal year, and a total of $54.2 million was remitted to the Consolidated Fund, including $27 million in relation to the partial disbursement of a loan of $46.5 million by the Ministry of Finance and Planning.
An additional $282.4 million was remitted to the Consolidated Fund from proceeds from the sale of the spectrum licence to telecommunications company, AT&T Wireless.
For the 2005/06 fiscal year, the SMA has an operational budget of $87.7 million, which is funded by regulatory fees paid to the Authority by spectrum users.
The Authority’s focus for the financial year will be to continue on a path consistent with its long-term vision to become a world-class spectrum management authority, and create the environment for spectrum to become the preferred means of communication in Jamaica.
The main areas of focus will remain: minimising conflicts among spectrum users; strengthening of its institutional capacity; ensuring financial prudence and stability; and conducting public education to raise the level of awareness of the value and importance of the radio frequency spectrum. Spectrum Management Authority was established under the Telecommunications Act 2000 as the independent, statutory body responsible for the management of the radio frequency spectrum. The core functions of the Authority are: to plan the use of the spectrum and allocate frequencies in a way, which will minimise interference; license new users of the spectrum; respond to reports of interference by spectrum users and resolve them; provide advice to the government with respect to policy and legal issues that concern the spectrum; and collect spectrum licence fees.