On 23 December 2016, the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) issued its Preliminary Determination on Mobile Number Portability (MNP). The document invited comments from interested parties on matters related to the implementation of MNP in The Bahamas and indicated that subject to responses received, it was proposed to launch MNP by 14 February 2017. This proposed date was based on an agreed schedule for the necessary preparatory activities for both providers concerned, namely the Bahamas Telecommunications Company Limited (BTC) and BeAliv Limited (Aliv). The launch of MNP requires both operators to implement various changes to their networks and business…
Residents in The Bahamas have now had the benefit of choice in the selection of their mobile telephone operator since October 2016. During this time, URCA has been monitoring the introduction of competition in this critical market. On 1 July 2016, consistent with the Government’s selection process for a second cellular mobile provider, the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) issued the necessary licences to the second mobile operator in the country, NewCo2015 Limited, now renamed BeAliv Limited (“BeAliv”). BeAliv provides cellular mobile services under the brand name “Aliv”. The conditions of the Individual Spectrum Licence (ISL) granted to BeAliv,…
On December 14, 2016 Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) issued its Preliminary Determination providing for the implementation of Mobile Number Portability in The Bahamas (ECS 40/2016). The full document is available for download from URCA’s website at www.urcabahamas.bs. Number Portability (NP) enables persons to keep their telephone number(s) when switching providers, and while The Bahamas has benefitted from NP in respect of fixed telephone numbers since December 2013, NP for mobile telephone numbers is being implemented following the introduction of cellular mobile competition. Subject to consideration of comments received from interested parties, URCA is proposing in this preliminary determination…
The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (“URCA”) is pleased to publish its Draft Annual Plan for 2017 (URCA 02/2016). This document outlines: A brief review of URCA’s achievements in 2016; URCA’s focus areas and key priorities for 2017; URCA’s key projects for 2017, including its planned consultation schedule for the year; A series of the key performance indicators which URCA shall use to measure its performance during the year; and URCA’s budget for the forthcoming financial year. URCA hereby invites and welcomes comments and submissions from members of the public, licensees and other interested parties on the matters contained in…
