By NATARIO McKENZIE
Tribune Business Reporter
nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net
Cable Bahamas executives said yesterday that they hope to leverage the success of the company’s land-line offering and multi-million network investment to become the first quadruple play provider in the Bahamas, telling Tribune Business that it was “uniquely positioned” to offer cellular services in this nation.
Cable Bahamas announced yesterday that it has invested more than $3 million over the last year in a new Metaswitch phone switch and software that will enable new features for the more than 26,000 REVOICE subscribers and pave the way for cellular services. The company has effectively stated in the past that it would bid on this nation’s second cellular license whenever the auction process begins.
Cable Bahamas Head of Marketing David Burrows told Tribune Business: “Cable Bahamas has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in our network. It’s what we do. We strategically plan for the future. We built a network that was from the very beginning designed with the future in mind.”
He added: “We have all of the infrastructure in place. We have the most fibre most network in the country. We certainly do feel that we are well positioned to get into that sector. We have built the network. We have built the customer base. We have enhanced the infrastructure of the country as a result of all of this and we are a 100 per cent Bahamian owned company. We have the capability to do it, we have proven that we can do. I guess the question is who better to do it?”
Speaking at the opening of the CANTO 30th annual regional telecommunications conference earlier this week, Prime Minister Perry Christie effectively confirmed that his administration is committed to the liberalisation of the Bahamas’ mobile phone sector, noting that a liberalisation task force was in the “final stages” of competing a Request for Proposal (RFP) that will invite potential bidders for the second cellular license.
Mr Burrows said: “We hope to become the first quadruple play provider in the country. We want to be able to offer all four services under one roof. Obviously we have already proven what we have been able to do with triple play in being able to acquire almost 27,000 voice subscribes in just two years and 27 per cent of the market.” According to Mr Burrows, the REVOICE phone network upgrade supports the integration of multiple voice services, and will enable the company to combine landline and future mobile services. REVOICE home and business phone subscribers can look forward to enhancements and expanded capabilities to their existing REVOICE services in the near future, as a planned upgrade to the service takes place this Sunday, August 17.
Comments
proudloudandfnm 9 years, 8 months ago
God I hope not.....
letuswin 9 years, 8 months ago
I second that, "I hope not!" We need fresh blood: AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone. Bring in a company with deep enough pockets to make us Bahamians proud of our phone service and that will add revenue and international currency to The Bahamas economy. We're tired of dealing with small timers. CB will just try to chicken scratch their way into the race, rather than drop the big bucks. If CB gets the license, it will confirm in my mind that the selling of BTC was a set up to take the people's tings and put them in the private hands of a few wealthy CB shareholders. We all know our politicians have plenty shares in CB.
DonAnthony 9 years, 8 months ago
I hope so! I am one of several thousand Bahamian shareholders and although not wealthy I deserve to benefit along with all the other 100% bahamian shareholders. Not to mention NIB which owns 23% of cable's shares. Think of those profits helping all pensionable Bahamians. Why should foreigners benefit when there is a 100% Bahamian company with the infrastructure in place? If cable does not get the next cellular license then it will be because of some graft given to our politicians. Wake up Bahamians, let the profits remain in this country not to be repatriated to foreigners!
birdiestrachan 9 years, 8 months ago
it is my belief that some other company should be allowed to have the business. the cable company already has the monopoly on so much . and it will not help when it comes to competition. I pay my bill every month. But I am sorrow for persons who have to pay that $5.00 Late fee. That is so wrong. I believe Mr, Ingraham gave them permission for that charge.
DonAnthony 9 years, 8 months ago
First off, cable has no monoply in any segment of it's business, be that data storage, fixed phone line, internet, or tv. It did have a monoply on cable services but that expired 2 years ago. I have no problem with a late fee. Pay your bill on time and there will be no fee. Bahamians should develop a habit like you apparently have of paying on time. That said cable does have customer service issues that need to be improved. URCA, the regulating authority, has just published a consumer bill of rights. You should read it as it is posted on their website. Change is coming for the better.
moncurcool 9 years, 8 months ago
Where is the other cable company in this country? None. That implies a monopoly as they have no competition.
DonAnthony 9 years, 8 months ago
It is true there is currently no other cable tv provider but that is because of the economics of cable tv. It is not a very profitable business, with very large capital start up costs. So cable has a defacto monoply, but anyone can offer cable tv services if they want to as cable's monopoly has expired. As a matter of fact BTC is currently testing an internet based tv product that they expect to roll out in a limited version by the end of the year, with a national roll out next year if it is successful. I hope it comes to pass as the more competition the better!
sheeprunner12 9 years, 8 months ago
CABLE BAHAMAS level of service is LOUSY in LONG ISLAND.
The ZNS stations have been off for 3 months. One third of the stations are in Spanish and another THIRD are copy cat versions of the authentic channel. We shouldnot be paying $30.00 for this CRAP ........... and on top of that we get our Bills LATE and then they ADD late fees ............ WE NEED AN ALTERNATIVE SERVICE PROVIDER NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
URCA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS RIP-OFF ...............OR IS THE PLP GIVING CABLE BAHAMAS INSTRUCTIONS TO PUNISH US LIKE SLOP DID IN THE OLE DAYS???????????????
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 8 months ago
Didn't Leon just give us a tear jerker story about how they aren't ready for competition and jobs etc etc? And they still hiring new people and promoting everybody in the circle. I'd be surprised if any new enterprise gets in the ring before 2017
sheeprunner12 9 years, 8 months ago
BTC vs CB ................. pot calling kettle black right now ............... didnt thought that privatization would result in this mess??????!!!!!!!!! That is what happens when there is too much political manipulation. We still have BEC, W&SC, ZNS, Bahamasair, BMC, etc to go..................... sigh
sheeprunner12 9 years, 8 months ago
Where is "DonAnthony" now??????? Many Out Islands can agree with me that CB is LOUSY. Dont sell us out for your CB share dividends...................... LOUSY
DonAnthony 9 years, 8 months ago
I happen to live in Long Island as well and what you say about cable's service here is true. These are the customer service issues that I was earlier referring to. These are issues that need to be addressed by URCA and will hopefully be covered in the newly issued customer bill of rights. That does not mean cable is not a great company. Many, many people especially business owners in Nassau love cable. They give a great product there that works, especially compared to BTC. Do they have issues, yes no doubt, but they are a professionally run 100% bahamian owned company! one despite the flaws we should be proud of.
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