Press Release

URCA now invites proposals from experienced and competent experts to provide the following consulting services: A Review of The Bahamas Power and Light Company Limited (BPL) Fuel Charge. 

A copy of the full RFP may be downloaded below:

Request For Proposal – Consultancy Services BPL Fuel Charge Review

On 28 February 2024, URCA published its preliminary findings on its market review of retail fixed electronic communications services in The Bahamas and launched a two-round consultation to receive public feedback. URCA now publishes the responses from The Bahamas Telecommunications Company Limited (‘BTC’) and The Cable Bahamas Limited Group (‘CBL Group’) received during the first round of consultation. The CBL Group’s response was redacted to protect commercially sensitive information. As part of the second round, URCA invites public feedback on the views of the first-round respondents. The deadline to respond is Monday, 10 June 2024. 

For further information, please contact:

Juan McCartney

Corporate and Consumer Relations Manager

Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority

1 (242) 395-5242

juan@urcabahamas.bs

Full PDF can be found below.

BTC Response to URCA ECS-04-2024 Fixed Market Review 

CBL Group Fixed market review response

The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority URCA, Public Register of Licensees

 Market openness and vigorous competition are crucial as they create incentives for firms to be more efficient and innovative. 

When firms compete, they strive to offer better products and services at lower prices which ultimately benefits consumers and businesses by providing more choices, improved quality, and cost-effective options. 

This is particularly true for the Electronic Communications Sector (ECS) and Electricity Sector (ES) as they underpin all other areas of the economy of The Bahamas. In this context, URCA is publishing Competition Guidelines – URCA 05/2024. 

The revised guidelines address URCA’s expanded scope of regulatory oversight. 

Originally, guidelines were prepared for the ECS. 

The updated guidelines now include the ES. 

While there are differences in the products and services offered in the sectors, there are parallels in how these matters are handled commercially and the legislation governing each sector. 

Anticompetitive agreements, abuse of a dominant position, and merger control are dealt with in Part XI of the Communications Act (2009), and Parts XI and XII of the Electricity Act (2015). 

The document provides guidelines for the investigation of situations where it is believed an entity has entered into an anticompetitive agreement or abused its dominant position in the market. 

It also provides guidelines for reviewing mergers, before they occur, to determine if it is likely to reduce competition. This includes how to file a complaint, how to evaluate a complaint, and potential remedies. Frederick House, Frederick Street│P. O. Box N-4860, Nassau, Bahamas│T.242.393.0234 / F. 242.393.0153 /242.393.0237 www.urcabahamas.bs 

The document can be found at URCA’s website: www.urcabahamas.bs. 

URCA 04/2024 – Statement of Results and Final Decision – Revision of the Competition Guidelines

URCA 05/2024 – Competition Guidelines

Media Contact: 

Juan McCartney 

Corporate and Consumer Relations Manager 

Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority 

jmccartney@urcabahamas.bs 

1 (242) 396-5242 

 The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) is pleased to announce the publication of its 2023 Annual Report and the 2024 Annual Plan, in compliance with section 41 of the URCA Act 2009. These documents are foundational to URCA’s mission of “Improving lives through effective utility regulation,” underscoring a commitment to transparency, integrity, and progressive utility management. 

The 2023 Annual Report, themed “Toward a Digital Bahamas,” details URCA’s pivotal advancements in regulating the electronic communications and electricity sectors. Key highlights from the report include comprehensive performance metrics of URCA’s regulated sectors throughout 2023; accomplishments of critical objectives that reflect URCA’s strategic regulatory focus; URCA’s Audited Financial Statements; and the evaluation of URCA’s adherence to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set for the year. 

These components collectively illustrate URCA’s diligent efforts in fostering a robust regulatory environment, essential for national development and technological integration. 

Following a comprehensive public consultation process initiated in December 2023, URCA has finalized its Annual Plan for 2024. 

This plan is designed to strategically navigate regional and international trends that influence sectoral regulation while taking in the unique environment of The Bahamas to strengthen the framework to foster economic and social growth and development. 

Key aspects of the 2024 plan include an outline of URCA’s key projects and consultation schedules for the upcoming year, defined KPIs to measure URCA’s performance in 2024 and a detailed budget for the 2024 fiscal year, ensuring accountability and effective resource allocation. 

The Annual Plan aims to build on the successes of 2023, promoting innovation and enhancing regulatory frameworks in response to the dynamic digital and electricity landscape. 

In alignment with the URCA Act’s stipulations, an oral hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 29, 2024. It will be held in person at a location to be announced as well as virtually. This hearing will provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss the annual report and plan. 

Media Contact: 

Juan McCartney 

Corporate and Consumer Relations Manager 

Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority 

jmccartney@urcabahamas.bs 

1 (242) 396-5242 

The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority URCA, Public Register of Individual and Registered Class Licensees 18 April 2024