Utilities in The Bahamas

Electricity

The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) is a government-owned corporation that provides electricity to all of the Bahamas, excluding the island of Grand Bahama. BEC was established in 1956 after the government passed The Commonwealth of The Bahamas Electricity Act and is currently headed by the Minister of Works and Utilities, the Hon. Bradley Roberts and the BEC General Manager Kevin Basden.

Security deposits vary depending on the size and location of the structure, usually averaging about $200 but can be as high or sometimes higher than $1,000. Charges are billed monthly.

Freeport Power Company provides electricity throughout all of Grand Bahama.

BEC
www.bahamaselectricity.com/

Internet

BaTelNet is owned and operated by the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BaTelCo or BTC). Both dial-up and hi-speed DSL internet access is available.

Cable Bahamas offers digital cable television, a Bahamian public-access channel that allows Bahamians to broadcast original programs, announcements and events. Basic cable roughly consists of 50 local and international channels while digital cable allows viewers to choose from over 500 channels including premium networks like HBO, Showtime and Cinemax.

CoralWave, the preferred internet service provider for most of the Bahamas, offers hi-speed internet connectivity and has a variety of packages for home or business computers, from laptops to networks. No phone line is required.

To sign-up for CoralWave, new customers must fill out an online application form.

Cable Bahamas
www.cablebahamas.com
www.coralwave.com

Telephone/Cell Phone Services

Government-operated Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BaTelCo or BTC) is the primary telephone and cell phone carrier. BTC also offers various products and services including DSL internet connectivity, ViBe Internet Phone, mobile trunking (two-way radios), pre-paid and post-paid GSM and TDMA phones and BaTelPage pagers. New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco have a number of telecommunication stores that sell cellular and landline phones, phone cards and cell phone accessories.

To apply for telephone services, customers are required to provide BTC with basic information like name, contact number and mailing address, subdivision and street name, the nearest utility pole number to the customer's premises, next door neighbour's telephone number (if known) and whether or not the customer's location is an apartment (in apartments, the landlord is responsible to provide proper infrastructure for telephone service).

A security deposit is also required. Deposits average $50 to $500 for landlords and between $150 to $500 for tenants. Phone rental is billed monthly.

Bahamian applicants are required to have a valid passport or a Bahamian drivers license and a National Insurance Card. Non-Bahamians must present a passport, permanent residency certificate or other government issued ID.

To apply for new telephone service:
Nassau - (242) 302-7100
Grand Bahama - (242) 352-9352
Abaco - (242) 367-3146

New Customers application form:
https://secure.btcbahamas.com/newcustomer/index.php

BaTelCo
www.btcbahamas.com

Water

The tap water in the Bahamas is controlled by several government organizations that contribute to keeping clean, running water in every home. The Ministry of Health and the Environment, The Ministry of Public Works and Utilities, The Ministry of Agriculture and the Prime Minister's Office all play instrumental roles in overseeing the water sector. Bahamas Water and Sewerage Corporation helps control the island's water resources and is the only water authority and regulating agency for water and sewerage in the entire Bahamas.

Security deposits are usually between $55 and $115 depending on the number of bathrooms. Charges are billed quarterly.

To request services, applicants must fill out the online service request form:
www.wsc.com.bs/Requestservices.asp

Grand Bahama Utlity Co provides water for Freeport and many other communities in Grand Bahama.

Water and Sewerage Corporation
www.wsc.com.bs/
www.wsc.com.bs/newconnections.asp