Publication
Public Register of: Individual Licensees and Class Licensees Requiring Registration
The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority URCA, Public Register of Individual and Registered Class Licensees 18 April 2024- Mar 22, 2024
ECS 07/2024 – Outage Reporting and Mitigation Regulations for the Electronic Communications Sector
Scope and Objectives
In the exercise of the powers conferred upon it by section 8(1)(d) of the Communications Act, 2009,the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (“URCA”) hereby issues these Regulations relating to the reporting and mitigation of Outages affecting Public Electronic Communications Networks and Public Electronic Communication Services in The Bahamas.
The objectives of these Regulations are as follows:
(a) to ensure that URCA is notified by Licensees of Major Planned Outages, Major Emergency
Planned Outages, and Major Unplanned Outages in a timely and standardized manner;
(b) to ensure that URCA receives necessary information from Licensees to assess the magnitude
and frequency of Major Planned Outages, Major Emergency Planned Outages, and Major
Unplanned Outages;
(c) to facilitate URCA’s monitoring of Licensees’ service restoration activities with respect to Major
Planned Outages, Major Emergency Planned Outages, and Major Unplanned Outages;
(d) to ensure that URCA receives necessary information from Licensees to identify common
recurrent issues adversely impacting the functioning of Public Electronic Communications
Networks and Services in The Bahamas;
(e) to ensure that Licensees conduct in-depth analysis of the root causes of Major Unplanned
Outages; and
(f) to clarify URCA’s powers to require a Licensee to commission and bear the cost of a Compliance
Audit to assess whether such Licensee has implemented and complied with relevant industry
best practices, standards, specifications, and/or recommendations, in compliance with its duty
to mitigate and remedy Outages.
The full PDF can be found HERE URCA Issues Statement of Results to Draft Annual Plan for 2024 Consultation
The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA), responsible for the regulation of the electronic communications and electricity sectors in The Bahamas, today published its Statement of Results from the public consultation on the Draft Annual Plan for 2024. This document outlines URCA's responses to feedback received from stakeholders and details the next steps in finalizing its strategic and operational direction for the coming year. After inviting comments from stakeholders, URCA received valuable insights from the Bahamas Telecommunication Company (BTC), Cable Bahamas Limited and Be Aliv Limited (CBL Group), and individual contributor Samuel Samon Thompson. The feedback provided a critical analysis of the Draft Annual Plan, emphasizing the need for strategic alignment, fiscal prudence, and clear communication of objectives and initiatives. CBL Group Joint Response to URCA's 2024 Draft Annual Plan Samuel Samon Thompson - URCA 2024 Draft Annual Plan comments BTC Response to URCA's Draft Annual Plan 2024 URCA Annual Plan 2024 Statements of Results URCA Press Release on Statement of Results on Draft Annual Plan 2024 Consultation URCA intends to hold a stakeholder forum on 25 March 2024, to present the Annual Plan for 2024 and allow for further stakeholder input. The Final 2024 Annual Plan will be published on URCA's website by 30 April 2024. Additionally, a public oral hearing will be scheduled to discuss the 2024 Annual Plan and the 2023 Annual Report in detail, with further information to be announced. URCA appreciates the contributions from all stakeholders and remains dedicated to regulating the electronic communications and electricity sectors in a manner that supports national development, enhances sector efficiency, and aligns with the needs of The Bahamas. Media Contact: Juan McCartney Corporate and Consumer Relations Manager Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority jmccartney@urcabahamas.bs 1 (242) 396-5242