BlackBerry calls BTC network 'one of the fastest' in Caribbean

Tue, Jun 5th 2012, 11:43 AM

The director of Research In Motion (RIM) for the Caribbean says The Bahamas has the one of the fastest mobile networks in the region.
Sean Killen, during a Caribbean-wide tour, told Guardian Business there has been a marked difference in the performance of the Bahamian network over the last year. The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), he added, has emerged as an "excellent carrier and partner" for BlackBerry.
"BTC was a good partner before, but they weren't aggressive," Killen said. "Now, BTC is an excellent carrier. When LIME got involved, they got aggressive in the need to grow data subscribers. The network here is fantastic. I think it's one of the fastest in the Caribbean."
The high praise for this country's sole mobile provider arrives just as controversy swirls concerning the government's apparent
intention to revisit the issue of privatization. In April 2011, Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) purchased a 51 percent stake in BTC for more than $200 million. Since then, BTC has spent tens of millions on a nationwide 4G network, new retail outlets throughout the country and other upgrades to infrastructure.
During his Budget Communication last week, Prime Minister Perry Christie announced his government, as promised, will "remain faithful in our commitment to explore all lawful means by which the majority ownership of BTC can be restored to the government and the Bahamian people".
The agenda has been met with strong and divided opinions throughout the country.
While the RIM executive did not wish to comment on government policy, he said privately-held companies are generally more effective in this global telecommunications environment.
"In the countries I have dealt with worldwide, I find the carriers much more efficient when they are privately held. That's how it is. When they are privately held, there is more competition," he told Guardian Business. "I think BTC is going in the right direction, particularly with some of the retail campaigns. They really have it together."
The RIM executive said he's encouraged by the network investments being made by BTC, as it gives BlackBerry users a better experience. He also noted that competition is expected in the Bahamian mobile marketplace soon.
Marlon Johnson, the vice president of marketing, sales and business development, said mobile revenue continues to be a hot spot of revenue. Killen agreed that the emergence of more data options in The Bahamas will not only make BlackBerry products better, but also result in higher revenues for CWC.
"We want to make sure we completely build out the 2G network and the 4G network, so by late summer we should have a brand new network," Johnson said. "What that does from a business standpoint is it allows for a reliable and stable network, giving customers the kind of performance they want and enabling us to take advantage of data offerings. The focus will be on having a fantastic cellular network and using that as a springboard to do more data."

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