Key indicators for Bahamas (2017) World Americas Fixed- sub. per 100 inhab. 28.8 23.9 13.0 Notwithstanding the late introduction of Mobile-cellular sub. per 100 inhab. 89.4 111.8 103.6 competition in the mobile segment, the Active mobile-broadband sub. per 100 inhab. 81.6 89.5 61.9 penetration rates in Bahamas are not far 3G coverage (% of population) 98.0 93.9 87.9 from the average in the region. The country LTE/WiMAX coverage (% of population) 95.0 84.3 76.3 stands out in regard to its higher percentage Individuals using the (%) 85.0 67.5 48.6 of individuals using the Internet as well as its Households with a computer (%) 75.0 64.8 47.1 mobile-broadband coverage, relative to the Households with Internet access (%) 70.4 68.3 54.7 other countries in the region. International bandwidth per Internet user (kbit/s) 610.0 77.1 76.6 Fixed-broadband sub. per 100 inhab. 22.0 19.9 13.6 Mobile services: There is a strong presence of Fixed-broadband sub. by speed tiers, % distribution both the partially government-owned operator (49 -256 kbit/s to 2 Mbit/s 5.8 6.6 4.2 per cent of the company’s shares), the Bahamas -2 to 10 Mbit/s 17.0 23.1 13.2 Company (BTC), which has -equal to or above 10 Mbit/s 77.2 70.3 82.6

majority market shares in fixed telephony and Note: Data in italics are ITU estimates. Source: ITU (as of June 2018). mobile services, and Cable Bahamas Limited (CBL) a 100 per cent locally owned operator with other measures to regulate the operators with majority market shares in cable television and fixed significant market power (SMP) have already been broadband services, and a controlling interest in the put in place (for instance regulated interconnect second mobile operator, Be Aliv Limited (Aliv). The offers, national roaming, and additional regulatory Bahamian mobile market was a monopoly of BTC obligations).62 URCA determined that BTC has SMP until October 2016, when Aliv entered the market in fixed-voice services, mobile voice and mobile with a fully LTE network covering more than 75 per data services and fixed broadband services (BTC’s cent of the population, having received its licence SMP in fixed broadband is limited to Geographic in July 2016. Aliv’s licences require its network to Market 2, which comprises all but the four most cover all populated islands of The Bahamas within heavily populated populous islands); CBL, on the two years. Mobile is the segment with the highest other hand, has SMP in paid television services penetration level in Bahamas, though overall and fixed broadband services (CBL has SMP in mobile voice penetration is lower than regional and fixed broadband services in Geographic Market global averages. In 2016, BTC was in the process of 1 which comprises the most heavily populated rolling out LTE.58 Both mobile-cellular and mobile- islands of New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco broadband prices are well below the regional and Eleuthera). Still within the scope of fostering average in terms of GNI per capita. competition, the regulator commenced net neutrality discussions in 2016 but has not yet Fixed services: Fixed-telephone services are finalized any regulatory intervention. provided by BTC and Cable Bahamas Limited (CBL).59 In an effort to enhance the array of choices Conclusion: As with many small countries, the to the consumer, the national telecommunications Bahamas’ various telecommunications segments regulator introduced fixed number portability are susceptible to a concentrated market but the in 2013. Bahamas has a higher penetration rate regulator is committed to adopting the various for fixed services, both telephony and fixed measures necessary to move towards broader broadband, than the regional and global average. market liberalization. The country’s infrastructure already allows for a more intense usage uptake of Government policy: The telecommunications the various telecommunications services. sector is regulated by the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA), a separate and independent regulator created in 2009. Among URCA’s main objectives are the promotion of sustainable competition, investment and optimal usage of resources.60 While mobile number portability is currently being implemented by the regulator (with expected launch in April 2017), and work to implement price caps is in train, various

14 Measuring the Information Society Report 2018 – Volume 2