The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has confirmed that it is evaluating the feasibility of licensing a third Bahamian mobile operator to compete with Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) and ALIV. As per the recently released ‘Draft Annual Plan 2021’ document, URCA notes: ‘As set out in the draft electronic communications sector policy, the government of the Bahamas will consider whether further liberalisation of the mobile telephone market should be undertaken in the form of a third mobile operator. The policy requires that URCA provide advice and recommendations to the government on this matter, including a feasibility and market analysis to support any recommendations made.’ The evaluation process is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2021 and conclude in 2Q21.
According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, BTC’s monopoly was disrupted just over four years ago, when ALIV launched on 23 November 2016. Strategic shareholder Cable Bahamas (REV) received the nation’s second wireless licence the previous year, defeating rival bidder Virgin Mobile Bahamas. Digicel Group pulled out of the bidding process early on, wary of the strict rollout obligations attached to the concession.