The Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation (BaTelCo) has launched its DSL system, providing subscribers high speed web access with the use of only one line. Technological partners in the venture are CISCO Systems and the Wesbell Group of Companies, two of the world leaders in networking for the Internet.
Leon Williams, Senior Vice President of Operations at BaTelCo, said the corporation is determined to constantly upgrade its network to meet the evolution of technology, and described the DSL as an example of its commitment to modernising its network. *”Bahamians will now truly experience the Internet the way it was meant to be – ultra-fast speeds, secure connection, affordable prices with no hidden charges, always on, and with a single telephone line,”* he said.
DSL provides concurrent voice and fax capabilities with 24-hour Internet access with the click of a mouse over the single phone line and has firewalls that prevent access by hackers. The Internet access service allows locations that previously had limited access in terms of speed and connection to exchange information at speeds previously unavailable in real time, and at low costs.
BaTelCo plans to launch the DSL system on the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco in the coming weeks.
The Government has described the main objectives of the BaTelCo privatisation exercise currently underway as improving the levels of telecommunication services offered to subscribers, particularly business; ensuring the competitiveness of The Bahamas as a financial centre and tourism destination; and improving the efficiency of the telecommunications corporation.