The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) has seen a major increase in its cellular roaming revenues, its vice-president of branding and marketing telling Tribune Business this segment was set to exceed the company's expectations.

While Marlon Johnson would not confirm how much BTC's roaming revenues had increased, tourism minister, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, recently said they had increased by some 40 per cent, something attributed to increased visitor numbers.

Mr Johnson told Tribune Business: "We are very confident that our roaming revenues are headed in the right direction, and that we are meeting our expectations. It even looks like we may exceed them."

Mr Johnson added: "We have been able over the last year to increase our number of roaming partners to about 50, and a sizeable number of them are data partners. So people who come here not only have access to voice roaming but also data roaming.

"People are using data roaming with their smart phones in significant numbers. That, coupled with the roll-out of the 4G network and the boost in tourism numbers, has meant that our roaming revenues have been healthy and we are very bullish on it. The more people travel, the more people are going to make use of roaming."

BTC has automatic roaming agreements with cellular carriers in the US, Canada and Mexico. BTC chief executive, Geoff Houston, recently told Tribune Business he was optimistic that by summer's end the entire nation will be covered by its 4G (fourth generation) network, and that the company was also making significant progress with its next generation network (NGN) roll-out.

BTC launched its 4G network when it opened its Mall at Marathon flagship store following a $500,000 makeover late last year. The company has invested $43 million in its 4G mobile network.