The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has launched a public consultation regarding 5G in the Bahamas. The consultation follows a stakeholder engagement exercise in 2022, which involved dialogue with a number of sector-specific focus groups, as well as incumbent operators the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), Cable Bahamas Limited (CBL) and ALIV.

The first wave of stakeholder feedback suggested that the provision of basic internet connectivity is more important than 5G availability for end users and public sector participants, especially in the Family Islands where reliable connectivity has been a challenge since Hurricane Dorian in 2019. In addition, it is believed that current mobile and fixed broadband services are considered sufficient to meet prevailing demand for connectivity in the Bahamas. At present, the watchdog believes there is ‘limited established demand’ for 5G services.

Responses must be submitted to URCA by Monday 5 June 2023.