Telecommunications Infrastructure
Liberalization and Deregulation
Analysis: IT Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
The Bahamas has the basic infrastructure in place upon which to build an information technology industry. In the last decade, the government has improved some major roads both in Nassau and other most populated islands, implemented changes to alleviate traffic congestion on major roads in Nassau, provided full electricity and improved airports. Generally, there is regular air and sea transportation between the major developed islands and the United States.
The IT infrastructure is developing on the strength of the tourism industry and financial services sector. For more information, see the Bahamas Financial Services Board web site.
Weaknesses
The telecommunication service is sometimes inadequate but operational enough for most routine correspondence. The mail service is slow both on the islands and between other countries; however, the islands are also serviced by overnight delivery services. Utility rates are considered high compared to the U.S. The divestiture of the Bahamas Electric Corporation and Bahamas Telecommunication Corporation (BATELCO) will eventually reduce rates.
The strength of the tourism and financial services industries have overshadowed the need for training and employing people in the technology sector. The Bahamas is taking steps in the necessary areas to develop IT, however, the pace at which the country is moving is slow compared to developed nations.
