It would be good if Batelco could be taken over and run properly to make a profit, then it would help the Bahamas, us, you, me, but, even so, would the government spend the money where it is needed? Seems Privatization is their only alternative.


What I'm truly surprised at is how BTC has not jumped on the VoIP bandwagon. They have everything they need: the local phone circuits, Batelnet as the ISP provider, and the marketing power of being the primary telecommunications service. Instead of worrying about new competition like Indigo, they should move with the flow of technology.

DSL would become their flagship product, instead of land-line phone services. They would increase their "per client" income that way and the technology solutions that can be added on top of that infrastructure would help to bring them up to a point where BTC can be sold at a profit. I'm getting excited just thinking about the possibilities!

They are also slackin' by failing to bring out GPRS* services for cellular phones. The MINUTE they come out with that I have two major proposals for them, ready to rock (that I wont mention here). Here's another idea though: GPRS combined with a local e-commerce solution - Imagine paying for something with your cellphone if you don't have the cash on you, like my crew does over in Japan! That's just one (1) small example.

We should have people over there at BTC that eat, sleep and breathe tech...

*(GPRS) General Packet Radio Service enabled networks offer 'always-on', higher capacity, Internet-based content and packet-based data services. This enables services such as colour Internet browsing, e-mail on the move, powerful visual communications, multimedia messages and location-based services.

Hi all
Wish I saw this thread about 5 years ago.
I built my web page. Nothing fancy but it worked. I got my URL address and had it up a running. Went to the bank to set up my merchant account. That is when it came to an end.
I see some of you have foreign merchant accounts. Please tell me about them.
Do you have to have a foreign business bank account?
Do you have to have a foreign business license?
How do you get your money Check or deposit???

Also what is the definition of a webmaster. Or in my case webmistress LOL. :cutie:

www.2checkout.com
www.paypal.com
www.quickcart.com
www.amazon.com
www.cafepress.com

I have acounts with the last four and a few local vendors who I host websites for use www.2checkout.com to accept CC's. (http://www.ting-n-ting.com & www.astridproductions.com).

I have a U.S. social security # so it wasnt too difficult for me to open an account with the last four, but with 2checkout.com I think you need a U.S. based credit card to sign up if you're an international vendor. Amazon.com is excellent if you want to sell your goods to an established global audience and CafePress.com is useful as a marketing provider - Tshirts, cups and other products with your logo.

The services send checks to the address of your choice and paypal in particular needs a U.S. bank account to allow unlimited funds to be transferred. There's a U.S. gov't form that you can fill out that allows you to be a foreign owner of a U.S. bank account - security checks have changed over the years so I do not know how complicated the process is at this time.

A few spurious CC acceptance companies have sprung up over the years so do be careful. The five that I mentioned are some of the easiest to sign up with for international vendors (as of the time that I signed up) and are the most reliable of the low-cost CC acceptance companies in my opinion.

www.clickbank.com accepts anyone from any country. Its free sign up and low fees. They dont require any tax forms, just sign up online. You set an amount at which time they would send you your check. It is a US check so it does take a while to clear. But it works good all the same, and its basically free.

Rory

It is not to use of VOIP that you can be fined for, it is the selling or the assistance in the selling of VOIP services. Concerning the blocking of VOIP ports. There is nothing stopping Cable Bahamas or BTC from blocking VOIP Services. If they were inclined to, the government could impose all ISPs to block the ports.

Countries like Panama, Egypt, Nepal, Turkey, Uganda, Columbia, Bolivia, Hungry, Kenya, and Peru already actively filter such services. The list of countries blocking VIOP services is actually growing. It looks like our government is not the only ones living in the past.

since cg and rory started with quipy little catch phrases....
then ill chime in...

let freedom reign!
lets move into the new millenium!!!
the rights of the bahamian is first and foremost!
the bahamian child has the un-enviable right to education.."never quite understood what dame dumont meant by that"???
:voodoo: