The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) announces that number portability for fixed telephone lines in The Bahamas will not become available on September 3, 2013 as projected. Based on its latest technical reviews of operator readiness for fixed number portability implementation, URCA is not satisfied that consumers would at this time receive a seamless and satisfactory number porting experience. URCA expects to issue a final determination on the matter before the end of September, at which time a revised time line for the implementation of fixed number portability in The Bahamas will be outlined. In the meantime, URCA’s monitoring…
The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has today published its Statement of Results and Final Determination “on the Assessment of Significant Market Power in Call Termination Services in The Bahamas” , URCA document reference number ECS 13/2013. Call termination is an essential wholesale service which all holders of Individual Operating Licences (IOLs) providing voice service need to purchase from each other in order to allow their customers to call customers on other public networks. Termination describes the service whereby one operator (the terminating party) accepts traffic that has originated on another network but which is destined for customers on…
The Public is notified that the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has extended the deadline to respond to the draft Electronic Communications Sector Policy (ECS Policy), URCA document reference ECS 10/2013, from August 2, 2013 to August 30, 2013. The draft policy document may be obtained from URCA’s website, www.urcabahamas.bs or by contacting our office on 31B East Bay Street at telephone number 396 5200. Please also be reminded that responses to this consultation may be sent via email to info@urcabahamas.bs, fax to (242) 393-0237/393-0153, traditiona l mail to P.O. Box N-4860 or delivered to URCA at 31B East…
On Tuesday July 30th the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) issued a Preliminary Determination providing for the implementation of Fixed Number Portability (FNP) in The Bahamas. The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) and Cable Bahamas Limited (CBL) are the current providers of fixed telephone services in the country. Among the areas addressed in the Preliminary Determination are business rules for these licensed operators, issues related to cost allocation and recovery, and licensee obligations and readiness for FNP implementation. The FNP launch date is September 3, 2013. The Preliminary Determination and Draft Order requires that BTC and CBL ensure that required…
