The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamian electronic communications sector faces a comprehensive market review that could possibly pave the way for the introduction of a third mobile phone operator.

Walden Russell, the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority's (URCA) director for information technology, speaking at a Zoom conference on its draft 2021 annual plan, said: “The first tier one project on the list for the electronic communications sector is the comprehensive market survey."

This will focus on ways to increase access to services, and improve their quality, in a bid to determine if there is room for a third mobile phone operator. "The second project is to assess the feasibility of a third mobile operator," Mr Russell added.

"As set out in the draft electronic communications sector policy, the Government of the Bahamas will consider whether further liberalisation of the mobile telecommunications market should be undertaken in the form of introducing a third mobile operator.”

The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) and Aliv are the two mobile players presently, and the survey will determine whether there is room for a third operator or if it will oversaturate the market. Mr Russell said: “URCA’s advice and recommendations must be supported by feasibility and market analysis.” The survey is expected to be completed by December.

There will also be market surveys for Pay TV and FM broadcasting, with the aim of understanding consumers' viewing and listening habits, and to gather information on the experience they are enjoying while tuned in to each medium.

Mr Russell added: “It has been five years since the last market review on fixed services, and that includes pay TV, a well-conducted review of the retail markets for fixed-voice telephone and pay TV services to determine whether operators have significant market power and, if they do, URCA will determine the appropriate remedies.”

Mr Russell also spoke about the “repackaging application of Cable Bahamas” on pay-TV, and said: “We have started our work on that project. And, as noted before, we intend to complete before the end of the first trimester which is the end of April 2021.”