The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has published a Consultation Document on the proposed implementation of a 5G regulatory framework in The Bahamas (ECS 01/2026) (the “Consultation Document”).
This publication represents the third and final phase of URCA’s public consultation process on 5G. It builds on earlier consultations and stakeholder engagement that examined 5G use cases, demand-side and market needs, and supply-side considerations.
The Consultation Document sets out URCA’s proposed regulatory approach to enabling the introduction and rollout of 5G mobile services in The Bahamas. This includes proposals on spectrum assignment and pricing, as well as licence conditions intended to align 5G deployment with national policy objectives in the Electronic Communications Sector Policy 2024–2027.
Among other matters, the Consultation Document proposes:
- spectrum bands and quantities to be made available for the initial 5G spectrum release;
- a spectrum assignment mechanism and spectrum pricing methodology for the initial 5G spectrum release;
- coverage and rollout obligations;
- quality of service and performance benchmarks;
- infrastructure resilience and backup power requirements; and
- network security considerations.
URCA invites comments from stakeholders and other interested persons. Feedback received will assist URCA in finalising a regulatory framework that reflects market realities and national policy priorities.
Stakeholders are invited to submit written responses by 8 April 2026. Comments should be addressed to the Director of Electronic Communications and submitted via email to info@urcabahamas.bs.
Following this consultation, URCA will review all stakeholder submissions and publish a Statement of Results and Final Decision, setting out URCA’s final policy position and the next steps for the implementation of a 5G regulatory framework in The Bahamas.
The document can be found here: ECS 01/2026 – Third Round Consultation on 5G Framework – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA)