By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie hailed the opening of an office for the country's second cellular mobile services operator on Friday as putting "a definitive stamp" on the now liberalised communications sector.

After a lengthy process to decide who would be awarded the licence, the Cellular Liberalisation Task Force awarded the licence to NewCo2015, which celebrated the opening of its administrative office at Holy Cross, Soldier Road.

The company exists in a joint ownership arrangement between the government and Cable Bahamas, with the latter responsible for management and control.

It is the second licenced operator after Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC).

"Bahamians are being empowered through these developments to become more participatory citizens in vital areas like law and order and various public services," Mr Christie said. "Mobile devices such as smartphones are more than just devices for talking; they permit constructive engagement and contributions to governance; they are full-scale entertainment centres; they are vast repositories of data that could be used to inform policy making.

"I am pleased for the privilege afforded my government to provide that vital bridge to the future of our citizens.

"Coming myself from an era in which direct (face-to-face) interaction was the norm for social and professional engagement, it is often amazing to see the extent to which today’s culture depends much more on interaction using remote technologies," he continued.

"Health and education services are administered remotely, commercial arrangements abound across the Internet, other services are provided in the same manner and people socialise using the Internet through the proliferation of social media sites.

"Heck! I understand now that the Internet is fast becoming the preferred arena for finding mates (dating and marriage prospects). That is an epic cultural and societal shift that requires reliable, affordable Internet access. People, our people and especially our younger generation live their lives in these virtual environments. This is their reality and governments are compelled to create the environments that are conducive to this.

"This new reality is complemented by the explosive growth of mobile technologies, which allow people to conduct their affairs while on the go. Ours is an era of convenience and mobile technologies are the primary facilitators of this lifestyle.

"The millions of visitors that grace our shores annually also have expectations that communications and connectivity will meet world class standards both in terms of quality and price. Choice in the sector provides the means to respond to these demands."