The Tribune

By Natario McKenzie

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

AFFIRMING that his government is committed to the liberalisation of the Bahamas’ mobile phone sector Prime Minister Perry Christie said that a liberalisation task force was in the “final stages” of competing a Request for Proposal (RFP) that will invite potential bidders for the second cellular licence.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the CANTO 30th annual regional telecommunications conference at Atlantis on Sunday night Mr Christie said: “My government is committed to the liberalisation of the mobile sector. To this end, I have appointed a Liberalisation Task Force headed by Ms Ruth Millar, former Financial Secretary of the Bahamas government and former Chairman of the BTC privatisation committee during the period 2000-2007.

“The Task Force also draws heavily on indigenous Bahamian expertise from both our public and private sectors, which in turn is supported by relevant international experts. The Task Force is in the final stages of finalising a Request for Proposal that will invite potential bidders for the second mobile licence. The RFP will include details of the selection process and criteria to be adopted.”

Mr Christie added: “At the close of the RFP submission period, a two-phased competitive selection process will take place with phase one consisting of a technical and financial assessment and phase two consisting of a spectrum auction that will be carried out by URCA.

“I would also take this opportunity to note that my government has the option to consider the issuance of a third mobile licence after April 2016.” Mr Christie noted in April the Government released its updated Electronic Communications Sector policy. “My Government is committed to providing a Best-in-Class ICT Infrastructure to the residents and businesses of this archipelagic nation,” said Mr Christie.

Addressing network challenges at the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) Mr Christie said that Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) Chairman Phil Bentley, during a visit to Nassau last week, approved $65m in capital development to be spent by BTC this year.

“This is the largest single year capital development budget to be approved for BTC. These monies will be spent to address the mobile drop calls, the slow data speeds and fixed lines. I am also told that BTC will begin its trials on IPTV by Christmas of this year. The alpha and beta Testing will begin in the Family Islands with a 2015 roll out in Nassau,” Mr Christie said.