The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) is pleased to announce the publication of its Second Round Consultation Document on the Regulatory Framework for Satellite-Based Electronic Communications Services in The Bahamas (ECS 07/2025).
URCA first initiated this process on 9 December 2024 with the publication of its First Consultation Document (ECS 75/2024), which presented initial proposals to update the regulatory framework governing the provision of satellite-based electronic communications services in The Bahamas. The first consultation closed on 17 January 2025 and attracted valuable feedback from local and international stakeholders.
On 8 July 2025, URCA published the responses to the First Consultation Document to allow stakeholders to review and comment on the positions advanced by other respondents. Interested parties were invited to submit additional feedback by 29 August 2025.
Following a detailed review of those submissions and taking into account developments in the global satellite industry, URCA has now published a Second Consultation Document to:
- Allow stakeholders to provide further input on the issues raised in the first round; and
- Seek feedback on additional clarifications and proposals developed to refine URCA’s approach to licensing, spectrum management, and the regulation of emerging satellite-based services, including matters relating to Direct-to-Device (D2D) and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, as well as disaster management, orbital and environmental sustainability considerations, and lawful access, intercept and data protection.
The Second Consultation Document can be found here: URCA Second Round of Consultation on Regulatory framework for satellite-based electronic communications services in The Bahamas .
Stakeholders are invited to submit written responses by 13 January 2026. Comments should be addressed to the Director of Electronic Communications and sent via email to info@urcabahamas.bs.
Following this consultation, URCA will review all stakeholder feedback and publish a Statement of Results and Final Decision, setting out its final policy position and the next steps for implementing the Satellite Regulatory Framework.