The Government recognises the benefits that can be gained from competition in the cellular mobile market. To ensure that these benefits are realized in an efficient manner, the Government established the Cellular Liberalisation Task Force (Task Force).The Task Force comprises of eight individuals and is chaired by Mrs. Ruth Millar.

The Government considers that electronic communications form an essential part of the backbone infrastructure for the sustainable development objectives of The Bahamas. The Government seeks, amongst other things, to facilitate variety and choice of high quality services to all electronic communication users in The Bahamas at internationally competitive prices, including that of the cellular mobile services market. The Government therefore sees cellular mobile competition as a key objective for the electronic communications sector (ECS) moving forward.  In furtherance of its statutory objectives under the Communications Act to promote investment and innovation, as well as sustainable competition, the Government has taken the necessary steps to introduce competition in the cellular mobile services market as expeditiously as possible.

Up until April 2014, the law had allowed for only one cellular mobile operator in The Bahamas.  The first step in opening up the cellular mobile market in The Bahamas was to launch a Request for Proposals (RFP) with the objective to improve the overall quality of life for Bahamians and enhance economic opportunities in and from The Bahamas.

The selection process included an objective two phased process, involving an assessment of technical and financial capabilities in Phase I and a spectrum auction in Phase II. Applicants were subject to strict timeframes and submission requirements. At the end, the successful applicant, Cable Bahamas Limited (CBL), was the one deemed to be the best fit to provide Bahamians and industry with quality service in an efficient time frame. Bahamians can look forward to the new company launching its services before the end of 2016 and having full coverage throughout The Bahamas within two years of the granting of the license.

Bahamians have long been anxious for full competition in communications. Liberalisation of the market will allow for a new entity, where Bahamians will hold the majority equity ownership interest. The objective is that the majority ownership will be as widely distributed as possible to ensure that Bahamians can benefit from such a lucrative business venture. Additionally, as has typically been the case in competitive environments, Bahamians are likely to benefit from lower prices, increased variety in product offering, improvements in service quality and increased coverage in the Family Islands, all of which will revolutionize the way we communicate at a national and global level.

This final stage of communications liberalisation will boost essential communications infrastructure and benefit the entire economy.

For further information please see the website: http://www.bahamas.gov.bs/cellularliberalisation