BTC Cell Phone SIM Card Update

Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) is now updating their information for all accounts on file with existing cellular phone users, and requiring existing users to sign a new terms and conditions agreement.  If you just purchased a SIM card from whoever had them for sale, they will no longer work until you visit the BTC office and register the account.  

In order to purchase a new SIM card for BTC you must now show photo identification.  So on entering the Bahamas your phone might not work until you visit their office with the ID and if you have been putting money on your account to keep your number active you will still have to go into a BTC office before your phone will work after December 1, 2012. This applies to data SIM cards also.  Here are links to the new terms and conditions and the application for prepaid service pages. 

http://www2.btcbahamas.com/Policies_Procedures_and_Complaints/pdf/BTCGeneralTermsAndConditions.pdf

http://www2.btcbahamas.com/Policies_Procedures_and_Complaints/pdf/applications/WirelessPrepaidServicesOffering.pdf

Cable Bahama Update - 100% Restored Everywhere But Long Island

Cable Bahamas advises the following regarding the status of its network related to restoration efforts following the effects of Hurricane Sandy:

All areas are 100% restored on all major islands and communities in the Bahamas with one exception.

Long Island is currently 68% restored; the outstanding areas not yet returned to a fully functioning state are being affected by two fiber optic cable breaks.

Technicians continue to work in Long Island, and these cables are expected to be repaired and services will be completely restored this week.

BTC - 95 Percent Restored

#Most of BTC’s services, with the exception of Sandy Point, Abaco and parts of Grand Bahama have been restored. The vast majority of the remaining problems are related to ongoing commercial power outages and localised outages.

#

#The only two challenged areas were Sandy Point, Abaco and Grand Bahama.

#“In Sandy Point flooding at the BTC office has made that system inoperable. Sandy Point and Moore’s Island have about 400 customers which represent about four per cent of Abaco’s total customer base. We are happy to report that the remainder of the island’s network is up and running, with only a few minor issues,” said Sawyer.

#“In Grand Bahama, from initial assessments there was minimal damage done to BTC’s outside plants. Most of the outages experienced by customers were due to commercial power outages – which have affected the outdoor equipment. There are also some reports of dropped wires, which are resulting in some localised outages,” he said.

#BTC reported full system restoration in the South East Islands; Bimini and the Berry Islands; Andros; Eleuthera; Exuma – with the exception of Williams Town, Farmers Cay and Musha Cay; Cat Island with the exception of the Cove and Gaitors and Long Island except Salt Pond – which was among the hardest hit islands.

#Customers are advised that there are localised outages in some areas. There is also the potential for future outages over the next 3-5 days as some cables that were damaged in the storm may eventually malfunction due to erosion or stress. In cases where power outages persist, technicians will have to do another assessment once power is restored to check for further faults.

#Antennas on several sites must also be realigned.

B.E.C. HURRICANE SANDY - UPDATE 2

The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) have issued "Update 2" today stating that they are "continuing to monitor its systems in New Providence and the Family Islands as category 2 Hurricane Sandy impacting the archipelago."

In New Providence, "supplies have been sustained with the exception of a few areas impacted by winds and rain associated with the storm."

In The Family Islands, "adverse weather conditions have led to island wide outages in Abaco, Long Island, Cat Island, and Rum Cay. Isolated outages have also occurred in other Family Island communities."

BEC also went on to say that they "expect to begin supply restoration in the Family Islands once conditions improve."

BEC expects its Family Island and New Providence Command Centre to become active tomorrow morning (Friday, October 26, 2012).  The centre will be the central point for assessing damage and organizing restoration efforts across the country.

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BEC Hurricane Preparedness Plans

The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) is advising its customers in New Providence and the Family Islands of its preparedness for Hurricane Sandy.

"In New Providence, BEC will maintain electricity supply throughout the duration of the storm; however, there are possibilities of supply interruption due to adverse weather conditions. Customers in New Providence with supply issues should contact BEC’s emergency numbers at 323-5561 or 302-1800."

"In the Family Islands, BEC will maintain supply as long as weather permits.  However, should conditions deteriorate an island wide shutdown may become necessary to protect Corporation employees and infrastructure."

"As Hurricane Sandy exits our area, and the “all clear” is given, assessments will be carried out to begin the restoration effort immediately.  Customers are encouraged to stay tuned to their local radio and television stations for ongoing updates with regard to the Corporation’s restoration efforts."

BTC - Gearing Up For Hurricane Sandy

BTC is preparing to open its Hurricane Command Center as early as Thursday morning in order to monitor its telecommunications network around the country.

BTC’s Hurricane Preparedness Committee activated the Hurricane Preparedness Plan earlier in the week, and began preparations nationwide to try and secure its network.

The company will begin ceasing operations at various locations as early as Thursday Morning.

Offices in the South East and Central Bahamas – which includes Inagua, Mayguana, Crooked Island, Acklins and Ragged Island, as well as  Exuma, Cat Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador and Long Island.

Those locations will remain closed through Friday.

Offices and Retail stores in the North West Bahamas - which includes Grand Bahama, Bimini, Abaco, The Berry Islands, Andros, Eleuthera and New Providence - will close from Noon on Thursday October 25^th and remain closed on Friday October 26^th.

The contact center – CALL BTC – 225-5282 – will remain opened with an emergency staff to deal with all emergencies and reports of outages.

Bahamas SIM Card Changes

There has been a change in the plan for the SIM card for the aircard or Blackberry.  The promotion (introductory offer to get people to put data capability on their Blackberry) which gave the first 2 months for $50.00 and the following months for $40.00/mo is over.  This promotion did not require an annual contract and was actually for Blackberries only, even though some people got the SIM installed in an aircard for a few months.  BTC treated it as a prepaid card, so as long as one had money in a SIM card account; Batelco just deducted the cost monthly.  Now, there are no prepaid Data SIM cards.   Everything going forward will be annual contracts.

Boat US iPhone & Driod App

BoatUS announced last week that they came out with a new smart phone app for boaters.  


It has the ability to: 

• Text or Email your boat’s location to other boaters.
• Share your raft up anchorage or favorite fishing hole. 
• Show your boat’s near shore location on Google Maps.
• Displays your Latitude & Longitude (even out of cell range).
• Call for a tow and BoatUS will know where you are.
• Access 25 BoatUS Services for your boat’s tool bag.
• Get the hottest boating news from BoatUS Press Room.