'Addressing the seminar on "Trusted Information Sharing in Global Markets," he said, "The government is committed to making The Bahamas a leader and centre of excellence in e-commerce." '

http://www.thenassauguardian.com/business/296947781047830.php

How can they say this when they have 'made' VOIP illegal!!??
And apparently we cannot invest in foriegn stocks, is there anything else I am missing??

Rory

'Addressing the seminar on "Trusted Information Sharing in Global Markets," he said, "The government is committed to making The Bahamas a leader and centre of excellence in e-commerce." '

http://www.thenassauguardian.com/business/296947781047830.php

How can they say this when they have 'made' VOIP illegal!!??
And apparently we cannot invest in foriegn stocks, is there anything else I am missing??

Rory

I would be happy if we (the Bahamas) was just in e-commerce! As for being a leader that I doubt, for the reasons you state. Saying we will be a leader is just a catch-phrase, a sound bite, that sounds good.

There is another catch-phrase that this Government uses that amuses me. "We are taking this to the next level!" The truth is that we have folks in Government who don't even know where the next level is and even if they did they could not reach it with a twenty-five-foot step ladder! :jawdroop:

I would be happy if we (the Bahamas) was just in e-commerce! As for being a leader that I doubt, for the reasons you state. Saying we will be a leader is just a catch-phrase, a sound bite, that sounds good.

There is another catch-phrase that this Government uses that amuses me. "We are taking this to the next level!" The truth is that we have folks in Government who don't even know where the next level is and even if they did they could not reach it with a twenty-five-foot step ladder! :jawdroop:


CG, this is so true!

Another expression I don't quite understand is "Levelling the playing field". Could this ever be done?

Seems that you and Rory have the gift of prophecy!

But with our authorities, sometimes I believe that many of them know just what to do (that is, the right thing), but for some strange reason just don't want to do it!

CG, this is so true!

Another expression I don't quite understand is "Levelling the playing field". Could this ever be done?

Many of those who ask for a "Leveling of the Playing Field" are really asking for a "Lowering of the Goal Posts" for them!

Seems that you and Rory have the gift of prophecy!

:sarcastic


But with our authorities, sometimes I believe that many of them know just what to do (that is, the right thing), but for some strange reason just don't want to do it!

That is so common with us all here. Perhaps it is the heat! But there is a saying, "To know (what to do) and not do it, is not yet to really know."

Question

If I am using MSN messenger and chating with a pal and decide to use the micorphone as opposed to typing could I be fined by BTC?

Isn't this a form of VOIP?

Question

If I am using MSN messenger and chating with a pal and decide to use the micorphone as opposed to typing could I be fined by BTC?

Isn't this a form of VOIP?

In essence, it think it is! :cop:
Silly, right?

I've been using Vonage since April '03.. Love the service.. Actually i'm in the states and signed up in April '03 and sent my mother the equipment so she's been using it to call me and vice versa.. She even uses it to call the other islands cuz its cheaper than batelco, go figure. My brother has been using it since around April '03 too and he's in freeport.. I just switched my number over here from bellsouth to vonage and it saving me a ton.

Can the PUC actually dicated to cable bahamas to block VOIP ports? And would CB actually relent? That would be quite interesting.. I know they can probably do it with Batelco's DSL but i'm not sure about CB, being a private organization and all.

I've been using Vonage since April '03.. Love the service.. Actually i'm in the states and signed up in April '03 and sent my mother the equipment so she's been using it to call me and vice versa.. She even uses it to call the other islands cuz its cheaper than batelco, go figure. My brother has been using it since around April '03 too and he's in freeport.. I just switched my number over here from bellsouth to vonage and it saving me a ton.

Can the PUC actually dicated to cable bahamas to block VOIP ports? And would CB actually relent? That would be quite interesting.. I know they can probably do it with Batelco's DSL but i'm not sure about CB, being a private organization and all.


They are not going to block it, it is a $300,000 fine! Yes they are the law, unfortunately. Also, Cable Bahamas is more than willing to give everyones personal info out to anyone, they did this to me once, they gave someone my telephone number, apparently someone working at cable knew the person, but still, thats illegal in most places. There is no REAL law here like in the US. The legal system and courts over here are just a big disgrace.

primeminister@hotmail.com or sumtin' :walk: ???

Many of you are indeed right about the Governments commitment to e-commerce. One of the things that i discovered while participating within the privatization process; regarding the technology base platforms and the Governments commitment to this type of environment is that an e-commerce environment challenges the power structure of the government itself. One of the things that i would suggest is that because of the lack of credible resources by the government to have a hold or control over this new platform creates a nightmare for them within the political structure in terms of finance and the distribution of wealth. All person understanding this digital age would know the power of the net itself and the complete control it gives to the powerless citizen of any country. This new world and technology gives power to the powerless otherwise.

We are lead by leaders whom have not embrace this technological age and are of course somewhat frighten by its very existence, How often my friends do you think the Prime Minister turns on his computer at his home or office and how many other senior public personnel examine and utilize the power of this technology driven environment. I can tell you not many. They may boast that they do, but you would find that 95 % of them don't. So they miss the opportunity to really understand the power of this technology and the opportunity it brings. They can talk about it;..... after being advised of course,marvel at it and say ,Wow! but because they can't touch it, feel it, nor physically see the immediate remedy it will provide to their political platform it is of no real importance only that it makes for good conversational piece.

Many marvel over the fact that Minister Bradley Roberts can constantly be found utilizing his computer and dialogging via emails. There are few Ministers whom can lay claim to this feat. He is one of many, whom one can say understands whats going on and perhaps view this environment for what it is. For him alone to discuss the use and encourage his other colleagues to embrace this way of life to communicate, would perhaps be like providing tea at the breakfast club sitting but everyones asking for bush tea because its all they know and they heard long time ago, " man dey' say dis' good fa' ya'
they are indeed behind the eight ball, and why? because its safe for them. And as we know most people do what they think is safe for them to exist politically and otherwise and no one dare challenge that platform.

So the minds of our leaders are blind to this era of development. Their focus is more steered towards finding jobs albeit any job, this is what will get them elected and stay elected. Providing a little hand out ever so often particularly at this time of year. Never mind raising the level of expectations for Bahamians because the majority that are coming out of school whom would be new voters ( Over 5000) can't read or write anyway so what's the noise all about. A maid job or a waiter or a li'l' carpenter etc. would do. Lets just stick with the service industry, thats what we are good at anyway. Right?

Many of you are indeed right about the Governments commitment to e-commerce. One of the things that i discovered while participating within the privatization process; regarding the technology base platforms and the Governments commitment to this type of environment is that an e-commerce environment challenges the power structure of the government itself. One of the things that i would suggest is that because of the lack of credible resources by the government to have a hold or control over this new platform creates a nightmare for them within the political structure in terms of finance and the distribution of wealth. All person understanding this digital age would know the power of the net itself and the complete control it gives to the powerless citizen of any country. This new world and technology gives power to the powerless otherwise.

We are lead by leaders whom have not embrace this technological age and are of course somewhat frighten by its very existence, How often my friends do you think the Prime Minister turns on his computer at his home or office and how many other senior public personnel examine and utilize the power of this technology driven environment. I can tell you not many. They may boast that they do, but you would find that 95 % of them don't. So they miss the opportunity to really understand the power of this technology and the opportunity it brings. They can talk about it;..... after being advised of course,marvel at it and say ,Wow! but because they can't touch it, feel it, nor physically see the immediate remedy it will provide to their political platform it is of no real importance only that it makes for good conversational piece.

Many marvel over the fact that Minister Bradley Roberts can constantly be found utilizing his computer and dialogging via emails. There are few Ministers whom can lay claim to this feat. He is one of many, whom one can say understands whats going on and perhaps view this environment for what it is. For him alone to discuss the use and encourage his other colleagues to embrace this way of life to communicate, would perhaps be like providing tea at the breakfast club sitting but everyones asking for bush tea because its all they know and they heard long time ago, " man dey' say dis' good fa' ya'
they are indeed behind the eight ball, and why? because its safe for them. And as we know most people do what they think is safe for them to exist politically and otherwise and no one dare challenge that platform.

So the minds of our leaders are blind to this era of development. Their focus is more steered towards finding jobs albeit any job, this is what will get them elected and stay elected. Providing a little hand out ever so often particularly at this time of year. Never mind raising the level of expectations for Bahamians because the majority that are coming out of school whom would be new voters ( Over 5000) can't read or write anyway so what's the noise all about. A maid job or a waiter or a li'l' carpenter etc. would do. Lets just stick with the service industry, thats what we are good at anyway. Right?

I think you have "hit the nail squarely on the head" with your comments. Well-said Sir!.

I second that Mr. Smith.

Our progress in this life depends tremendously upon the leaders that we have chosen to be led by. We depend on their knowledge for decision making. We can only move when they do.

Welcome to Bahamas Issues.

Question

If I am using MSN messenger and chating with a pal and decide to use the micorphone as opposed to typing could I be fined by BTC?

Isn't this a form of VOIP?


Esentially it is, but the difference is that you are not speaking to a person on a phone line at the other end, which means you are not 'depriving' Batelco of any earnings, also the ports and server/client software/technology used are different.

I wonder if they know how much $ has been lost as a result of their dilly-dallyin’ on this e-commerce issue. Many local companies (mine included) have resorted to US-based credit card acceptance companies to run the e-commerce portions of their businesses. And why after jumping through all of those hoops of international “verification” would I want to change to a local e-commerce system that seems to not have any strong leadership in its ongoing development. We have yet to see how they will tackle setting up a reliable and secure infrastructure to run such networks.

As for VoIP, from my limited legal insight on related legislation it appears that the average consumer has little to worry about by using Vonage, Skype, Dialpad or any other VoIP service (for now at least). Protecting an aging telecommunications company (BTC) in a marketplace that they claim is opening itself up to new technologies is NOT the PUC’s responsibility. They would be wise to open the telecommunications/wireless (data) market as wide as they possibly could. Let pure competition move this country forward. The advantages will far outweigh the disadvantages in the long run and judging from the projects that are being worked on right now, The Bahamas would get a vital boost in the tech sector within the next 3 years. We NEED it.

Any more moves to lock down the telecommunications/wireless tech sectors and I, for one, strongly would consider moving most of my projects to Japan, Canada, Taiwan or the US. Our tech culture is already backwards enough as it is without handcuffing the people who are in a position to drastically change things. To make a revolutionary tech service illegal for the purposes of attempting to protect a failing one is short-sighted and only shows the blatant lack of understanding of how technology can transform this little Bahamaland almost overnight. That’s not all, either - From what I’ve seen personally over the few years I’ve been back home, the situation goes like this: You try to tell some of these people in charge what you’re up to and they don’t have time for you. So then you go ahead and implement your solution, attempting to show them its feasibility and they tell you that what you’re doing is legal, but questionable. So then you ask them how much is it going to cost and what are the next steps that you should take and they ask you in return,” well, what are you going to do for me?” *wink, wink*

We have a loooong way to go in these little islands, but we'll get there...eventually

I know what you mean, also the prices that they will charge us, will it be worth us switching from say a US based Credit Card Merchant... Tax is not an issue, as I pay nothing on what I earn over the internet and is paid into my account. A local merchant account would be nice, but the charges will be sky high.

and you're right, regardless of the PUC's address to making VOIP illegal, seems there are more people than they can afford to sue, in this country, using it regardless, Are they going to take everyone to court for trying to save a few bucks from batelco's rediculous charges, and only using internationally acceptable (as legal) technology. Though I did hear it is the same in Brazil, but they dont take you to court, the ISP just blocks the ports, which I was told could always be redirected/mirrored anyway.

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.

If we loose people like Yorrick to Asia or the US, who has been doing SO much to help the country get technology off the ground here (I personally dont have that kind of patience!), then its going to be deabilitating to the Bahamas, technology wise. Sure there are others out there but they are few, and certain people on this forum could be considered some of the top people in the local tech & Business industry. We have many, many .... many computer companies here in Nassau, but really, not many working there know enough about the internet, or spend enough time invested to truly claim to be Web Masters, though they do try to claim it :-)

Yorrick, Delroy, and others, should be congradulated for thier perseverance and patience.

Rory