Electronic Communications

Electronic communications as described in the Communications Act, 2009, refers to “the conveyance by the use of electrical, magnetic or electromagnetic energy, of signals of any description”; and the electronic communications sector (ECS) as “the economic sector encompassing the provision of all electronic communications, including broadcasting”.

By these definitions provided in the communications legislation, the ECS in The Bahamas comprises fixed and mobile telephone services, spectrum and numbering, Internet services and broadcasting including pay television.

The policy objectives for the sector as prescribed in Section 4 of the Communications Act, 2009, are built on two main objectives:

1. To further the interests of consumers by promoting competition and in particular:
   1. To enhance the efficiency of the Bahamian electronic communications sector and the productivity of the Bahamian economy
   2. To promote investment and innovation in electronic communications networks and services
   3. To encourage, promote and enforce sustainable competition
   4. To promote the optimal use of state assets, including radio spectrum
2. To further the interests of persons in The Bahamas in relation to the electronic communications sector by:
   1. Promoting affordable access to high quality networks and carriage services in all regions of The Bahamas
   2. Maintaining public safety and security
   3. Contributing to the protection of personal privacy
   4. Limiting public nuisance through electronic communications
   5. Limiting any adverse impact of networks and carriage services on the environment
   6. Promoting availability of a wide range of content services which are of high quality

The Government’s Sector Policy outlines the strategic aims for meeting these policy objectives. This policy is subject to revision at least every three years.

Sector Policies

The Sector Policy may be accessed via Sector Policies category of the Publications section of our website.