Press Release
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
URCA Publishes Outage Reporting and Mitigation Regulations for the ECS
The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (“URCA”) is pleased to announce the
publication of the Statement of Results and Final Decision on the Outage Reporting and
Mitigation Regulations for the Electronic Communications Sector and the Outage Reporting and
Mitigation Regulations of the Electronic Communications Sector (“the Regulations”).
URCA’s public consultation on the Regulations commenced on 2 October 2023. The deadline for
responses was extended to 15 November 2023 to facilitate comprehensive feedback from
stakeholders.
URCA thanks Cable Bahamas Limited and Be Aliv Limited and The Bahamas Telecommunications
Company Limited for their respective responses. URCA has carefully considered all responses,
leading to informed final decisions that balance operational capabilities with the need to address
information adequacies and gaps in the Electronic Communications Sector regulatory
framework.
URCA is cognizant that consumers in The Bahamas are becoming increasingly dependent on
electronic communications services for both personal and business uses and as such require
access to reliable, high-quality services. With the publication of the Regulations, URCA has
completed Phase 1 of its Review of the Quality-of-Service Framework for the Electronic
Communications Sector in The Bahamas.
The Regulations apply to all URCA licensees that have established Public Electronic
Communications Networks and/or provide Public Electronic Communications Services
(“Licensees”).
The Regulations establish the regulatory framework to ensure timely and standardized
notification and reporting of major planned outages, major emergency planned outages and
major unplanned outages to URCA by Licensees and set out Licensees’ duties to implement
relevant industry best practices and standards to mitigate and remedy outages.
Additionally, URCA believes that the Regulations will provide URCA with valuable information to
assess Licensees’ compliance with their quality-of-service obligations and consumer protection
obligations and will facilitate data-driven regulatory decision-making by URCA aimed at
improving access to high quality networks and service in The Bahamas.
For further information and to access the full Statement of Results and Final Decision, please visit
www.urcabahamas.bs.
Media Contact:
Juan McCartney
Corporate and Consumer Relations Manager
Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority
jmccartney@urcabahamas.bs
1 (242) 396-5242
The Full document can be found HERE
URCA Announces Final Decisions and Next Steps on Revisions to the Consumer Protection Regulations for the Electronic Communications Sector
The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) is pleased to announce the publication of its Statement of Results and Final Decision following a comprehensive public consultation process on proposed revisions to the Consumer Protection Regulations for the Electronic Communications Sector (ECS).
This process commenced on 18 September 2023, with an extended deadline for responses to accommodate comprehensive feedback from stakeholders.
The original Consumer Protection Regulations, introduced in December 2013 and revised in February 2014, have been instrumental in safeguarding consumer interests within the ECS.
However, evolving market dynamics and URCA’s experiences in addressing consumer complaints necessitated a review to ensure the Regulations remain fit for purpose, clear any ambiguities, and introduce new measures to protect consumers effectively.
A copy of the full document may be downloaded below:
Revisions to the Consumer Protection Regulations for the Electronic Communications Sector
Consumer Protection Regulations for the Electronic Communications Sector
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
URCA Sets Preliminary Position after Market Review of Retail Fixed Electronic Communications Services in The Bahamas
The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) announces its preliminary findings and invites public commentary on the review of the state of competition within the markets for retail fixed electronic communications services in The Bahamas. This encompasses retail fixed voice, retail fixed broadband, and retail pay TV services.
In its comprehensive Preliminary Determination, URCA has outlined its provisional assessment of the competitive dynamics within these markets and the consequent need for continued ex-ante regulation to ensure fair competition and consumer protection. URCA is now seeking feedback on its initial stance through written responses to consultation questions detailed in the document.
URCA’s analysis has identified Significant Market Power (SMP) in various segments of the retail fixed service market.
In the Retail Fixed Voice Services market, Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), as the primary provider, is found to have Significant Market Power.
URCA proposes that BTC will be required to continue offering its current standalone fixed voice tariff plans and, subject to URCA’s pre-approval, BTC shall not increase prices of entry-level standalone fixed voice plans over last year’s inflation, or 5 percent a year in case inflation exceeds 5 percent during that year.
Regarding Retail Fixed Broadband Services, the market is divided into two geographic segments, with Cable Bahamas Limited (CBL) having SMP in areas where it competes with BTC, and BTC holding SMP in regions without CBL’s presence.
URCA proposes that both providers are required to continue offering current standalone fixed broadband plans and bundles comprising fixed voice and fixed broadband services. Also, subject to URCA’s pre-approval, both providers shall not increase the prices of entry-level standalone fixed broadband plans over last year’s inflation, or 5 percent a year in case inflation exceeds 5 percent during that year.
Additionally, BTC must ensure uniform pricing across the two geographic areas.
In the area of Retail Pay TV Services, URCA’s preliminary position is that CBL is the SMP provider of retail pay TV services and is subject to restrictions preventing price increases beyond the inflation rate or 5 percent annually for its entry-level standalone pay TV product.
This measure aims to promote access to essential services by protecting consumers from potential price hikes.
With multi-product bundles that include retail pay TV services (i.e., currently double-play including fixed voice and pay TV, double-play including fixed broadband and pay TV services, and triple-play including fixed voice, fixed broadband and pay TV services), URCA’s preliminary position is that CBL has SMP in multi-product bundles including pay TV. However, no additional remedies are proposed for multi-product bundles including pay TV beyond those applied to the other markets noted above.
Beyond the above market-specific measures, both BTC and CBL will continue to be subject to URCA’s Accounting Separation Guidelines.
For standalone products that do not require URCA’s pre-approval for changes, the preliminary view is that both providers will be required to notify URCA of any changes in retail tariff plans. Additionally, both operators are mandated to publish all tariffs on their websites, enhancing transparency and accessibility for consumers.
URCA encourages all interested parties to review the Preliminary Determination and contribute their perspectives by responding to the consultation questions provided.
Following the consultation period, URCA will consider all feedback and issue a Final Determination, outlining the results of the consultation and detailing the next steps in the regulatory process.
This initiative underscores URCA’s commitment to fostering a competitive and fair market landscape for electronic communications services in The Bahamas, ensuring that consumers enjoy high-quality services at reasonable prices.
Directions on how to respond and timelines are contained in the consultation document, which is published on its website at www.urcabahamas.bs.
About URCA:
The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the electronic communications, broadcasting, and electricity sectors in The Bahamas.
Media Contact:
Juan McCartney
Corporate and Consumer Relations Manager
Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority
jmccartney@urcabahamas.bs
1 (242) 396-5242
The Full PDF document can be found HERE
