The CEO of Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) has supported the prime minister's demand for all future cellular service providers to service the entire Bahamas, claiming that the requirement would help avoid "cherry picking" of lucrative markets at the expense of less populated regions in the country.BTC CEO Leon Williams said that while he was not necessarily "pleased" by the announcement, the obligation would create a more level playing field for future competitors."If you are not careful when you set up legislation, and you open the market, the possibility exists that the new entrant would cherry pick just the profitable centers," said Williams. Prime Minister Perry Christie revealed last week that any future providers would have to cover the whole country, stating: "To compete with BTC, you are going to have to come with a program that talks about how you are going to cover The Bahamas. That is going to be the challenge."Williams said: "The prime minister has stated that they're looking for an infrastructure hive...and as such you've got to be able to service the entire Bahamas, from Abaco in the north to Inagua in the south. Otherwise the playing field is not level. Not only is the playing field not level, why do we give an alternative to Bahamians living in Nassau and discriminate against Bahamians in Inagua? "He's the prime minister of The Bahamas, not the prime minister of Nassau. All Bahamians should have the same (access) to the quality of service and competitive advantages as the Bahamian in Nassau," he added.Christie hoped that The Bahamas would obtain a new telephone service provider within six months of the government's telecoms liberalization committee issuing a request for proposals (RFP). However, Christie did not specify when the RFP would be issued. Cable and Wireless Communications' (CWC) monopoly on the cellular market expired in April. Cable Bahamas, Virgin and Digicel have expressed interest in expanding into The Bahamas. Williams spoke with Guardian Business during a panel at CANTO's 30th annual Conference and Trade Exhibition, where the panel delivered a declaration on creating a single information and communications technology (ICT) space for the Caribbean. Panelists included representatives from leading Caribbean telecoms companies including Digicel, Lime and Columbus Communications.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian