The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) will use Bimini as the first testing ground for its news Internet Protocol (IP) TV product, with trials set to begin in two weeks.

BTC’s chief executive, Leon Williams, announced the move on November 6 when he officially opened the new BTC retail store in Alice Town.

“You’ll enjoy free IP TV during the test period,” he told attendees. “You’ll have an alternative to those other fellows, and you’ll get a taste of what is to come next year when we launch IP TV with all the channels.”

Mr Williams said that in several months, the Government will launch the tender to receive bids for the second Bahamian cellular license. A third could be awarded in 2016.

“The Bahamas government has the option in 2016 to issue a third license,” Mr Williams said. “I am suggesting to you that as it stands today, the Bahamian people own 51 per cent of the economic value of BTC, so when the competition arrives and they want to give you free this and that, remember you own 51 per cent of the economic interest in BTC and we’ve been here since 1892.”

Robbie Smith, the local government official for Bimini, said BTC’s store upgrade was both timely and welcome, given the economic growth expected to come with the impending launch of Resorts World Bimini.

“It is no secret that Bimini is growing by leaps and bounds,” said Mr Smith. “In the last 12 months this island has transformed, in many respects, for the better.

“When we examine the construction of a new hotel and all that it brings with it, we understand the need for improved services and access to telephone products.

“It is important that BTC keeps up with a changing Bimini in an effort to provide the very best for residents and visitors. I am pleased that today’s store launch is a giant step toward that end.”

BTC’s vice-president for the northern Bahamas, Talbot Collie, said the carrier is aware of Bimini’s changing landscape and aims to continue supporting the island’s development.

“BTC is connected to Bimini,” Mr Collie said. “And with all of the developments going on across Bimini today, BTC will rise to the occasion.

“We will invest, we will expand our infrastructure, we will continue to bring the highest quality ICT services to enable the way that you work, play and connect to the Bahamas. From Bimini in the north all the way to Inagua in the south”

Pat Walters, BTC’s senior vice-president of customer operations, said its stores have been developed to maximise the customer experience.

“We spent a lot of time thinking about the design of our stores,” Ms Walters said. “We want the stores to be technology savvy. All of our display devices are live, you can press the buttons, see what the features are, and see picture quality.

“The stores are also very Bahamian in style; very vibrant and colourful and festive. And there is always a bit that is unique and local. In each store we have a mural painted by a local artist to set the local atmosphere of the store. In Bimini we are happy to welcome the beautiful artwork of Alan Wallace.”

Since 2012, with the launch of the first flagship full-service store at the Marathon Mall in Nassau, BTC has systematically converted its original bill-pay stations into full retail experiences.

Bimini joins New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma, Long Island, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells as the latest Bahamian island in BTC’s push to increase the company’s footprint and improve product, services and convenience to customers.