The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) launched a new service on Tuesday that could ultimately impact hundreds of homeowners through an alliance forged with two housing developers – Arawak Homes Limited and The Ministry of Housing.
The programme, called BTC Home Connect Programme, was designed to guarantee that all residential telecommunication services consisting of wireline and DSL high speed Internet be pre-installed for all Arawak Homes and Ministry of Housing customers.
Officials noted that some new homeowners are all too familiar with the frustrations they endure in securing telecommunications services after they have moved into their new homes.
Officials are hoping that through ﾑHome Connectﾒ customers will have a more friendly experience.
BTCﾒs Acting President and CEO Leon Williams said the initiative is part of the move to change the image of the old BATELCO. This, he said, is being done by allowing homeowners the opportunity to move into their new homes with telephone and Internet service already installed at a reduced cost.
"We are now partnering with the Ministry of Housing and with Arawak Homes and with any other developer in the future, on Grand Bahama or other Family Islands, to ensure that when the homeowners take occupancy the telecommunication services are there pre-installed."
According to Mr. Williams, the initiative will especially benefit residents in the Family Islands.
Executive Director of Arawak Homes Limited Franon Wilson said that the customers who bought homes in two subdivisions in the Carmichael Road area would be the first to benefit from this new plan within the next month.
"All of the customers who get an Arawak home in the future will look forward to improved customer service in terms of the length of time they have to wait within the home for different features that will be made available," he said.
"Since communications is the way of the world BTC is showing persons the way."
Gordon Major, director of Technical Services at the Department of Housing, also believes the new programme will go a long way in improving service for homeowners.
"While we have large numbers of houses we also want to improve the quality of the construction that we are giving to the homeowners, while improving on the quality of service received," Mr. Major said. "This is one step in that direction of improving what homeowners can expect from the Department of Housing."
By: Stephen Gay, The Bahama Journal
