The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) aims to eliminate technical bugs in its Internet Protocol (IP) TV service by testing in small communities, like Bimini, before bringing the service to New Providence next year, according to BTC CEO Leon Williams.
Williams reiterated that BTC plans to start testing IPTV in Bimini in two weeks. Speaking at press conference yesterday to give an update on the $65 million upgrade to BTC's networks, Williams said that the service would soon spread to other Family Islands as the company preforms troubleshooting procedures.
"We will start data testing in Bimini. In the next two weeks, we'll deploy in Bimini. Subsequent to Bimini, we will deploy the network in Cat Island and in Andros," said Williams.
IP TV is a system that provides TV services to customers through the Internet, rather than traditional satellite or cable TV formats.
Williams said that BTC aims to eliminate technical bugs by testing in small communities before bringing the service to New Providence next year.
"We will look for the low-hanging fruits in those settlements, for example in Inagua, where there's a small concentration," he said.
However, Williams did not provide a figure on BTC's investment in its IP TV services.
Williams additionally hopes that BTC co-parent company Cable & Wireless Communications' (CWC) recent acquisition of Barbados-based Columbus International will lead to further expertise and synergies that would reduce costs and wait times for BTC's customers.
CWC acquired the telecoms company for $1.9 billion earlier this week.
Williams also touted BTC's recent $65 million upgrade to its network, which includes 107 new 4G LTE sites. Williams stated that the upgrade gives BTC 99 percent coverage throughout the country "for improved roaming experiences".

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