During the past year, we have benefited from training in Telecommunications Regulation from the world-class institution, Public Utility Research Center (PURC) that is associated with the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, U.S.A. In June the remaining Commissioners attended and completed their basic telecommunications regulatory training and the Commission has undergone a marked improvement as a result of this training. The Board is now more informed and their decisions more solid.

During the past year, we have benefited from training in Telecommunications Regulation from the world-class institution, Public Utility Research Center (PURC) that is associated with the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, U.S.A. All staff members have now completed their basic telecommunications regulatory training and two staff members and a commissioner has completed the advance training. One staff member also attended the Spectrum Master Class in the United Kingdom where he learned much about Spectrum Regulation and the many Wireless technologies to be managed in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Staff members and Commissioners attended various regional workshops and seminars in the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and United States.

The 2008 – 2009 period has again presented challenges to the Commission, and I believe we have risen to the occasion once more. We have taken major steps toward providing a more open and transparent regulatory framework with the enactment of the Administrative Regulations that define the mode of conducting our public consultations, this approach has demonstrated our commitment to this policy.

During the past year, we have added to the staff complement of the Commission, which has
allowed us to begin establishing an office that is available full time to both the industry and
telecommunications users. In addition, the professionals that we have engaged are
providing vital experience and advice to the Commission as we deal with issues relating to
competition especially.

Shortly after the enactment of the Ordinance, the Minister appointed the 7 Commissioners
who were to comprise the membership of the Commission. Mr. Bennett Stubbs, a
prominent business man in Providenciales, was appointed Chairman of the board, and Mr.
Melbourne Wilson, a lawyer based in Provo, was appointed Deputy Chairman. The other
Commissioners appointed were Mr. Sean Penn, Mr. Crayton Higgs, Bishop Clarence
Williams, Mr. Claris Williams and Mr. Devon Williams. The offices of the Commission were
set up at the Charter House on Leeward Highway (the offices have since moved to the
Business Solutions Center on Leeward Highway).