The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) in collaboration with the Central Statistical Office (CSO), will commence a national Digital Inclusion Survey on Saturday, 17th, April 2021.

This survey aims to measure the digital divide, that is, the gap that exists between persons who have access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and those who do not. Data will also be collected during the survey to assess factors necessary for the efficient use of ICTs such as skill, motivation and trust. This initiative is one of many arising from the GORTT’s National ICT Plan 2018-2022 and TATT’s Universal Service Framework for Telecommunications Services in Trinidad and Tobago and The Telecommunications (Universal Service) Regulations.

As part of the data collection exercise, approximately 6000 households will be surveyed from various communities in the country. All members from the selected households, ages five years and older, with the permission of a parent or guardian where applicable, will be eligible to participate in the survey.

This survey will be conducted by Kairi Consultants Limited (Kairi) over three months, between April and July 2021. Field personnel will be in uniform and in possession of identification cards bearing the logos of TATT, CSO and Kairi. 

All necessary coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health protocols will be observed by field personnel who will also be equipped with personal protective equipment such as face shields, face masks and hand sanitisers, during interactions with members of households.

The information collected from this survey will be used to inform TATT’s policies, related to improving ICT access in key geographic areas and to address issues affecting population groups at risk of being digitally excluded. The survey results will also form part of the national statistics of Trinidad and Tobago.