Three Companies Apply for Telecoms Licences in Bermuda - SubTel Forum

By Jonathan Kent, The Royal Gazette
April 30, 2020

Competition may be about to heat up in Bermuda’s telecommunications sector with three companies seeking to join the market.

Cable & Wireless Network Services, Horizon Communications and Paradise Mobile have applied for licences from the Regulatory Authority.

Horizon and Paradise have each applied for an Integrated Communications Operating Licence. C&W is in line for a new type of licence, a SubCol, which would allow the firm to provide capacity from submarine cables to the island.

The RA said all three companies were qualifying applicants according to its criteria and now the regulator is inviting the public, including other telecoms services providers, for their comments on the applications by May 29.

“The RA preliminarily concludes that the applications received constitute qualifying applications for Icols,” the RA stated. “The RA proposes to grant Icols to both Horizon and Paradise. In light of C&W’s request, the RA also proposes to grant a more limited COL, in the form of a SubCOL, to C&W.”

Horizon, which will operate as Wave Bermuda Ltd, is a startup led by Gilbert “Artie” Darrell.

Mr Darrell said last night that Horizon “is excited to be qualified by the Regulatory Authority for a new telecommunications licence”.

He added: “Horizon has built a highly detailed technical plan with a team that has extensive experience in technology and telecommunications.

“We are hoping for a fast decision by the RA so that we can bring a competitive high-speed service and, once operational, employ over 30 people and bring much needed investment to Bermuda.”

Horizon applied to provide internet service, IP television and VoIP services to residential and business customers via a fixed wireless and mobile network.

Paradise wants to create a mobile network with a combination of prepaid and postpaid customers.