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Bermuda Profile
Bermuda in the
Wikipedia
Bermuda history, politics, map, geography, economy,
demography, full information and links.
Bermuda in the CIA
Factbook
Bermuda information about the economy, geography,
government,
population, communications, military and transnational
issues.
BBC Bermuda
Profile
Up to date resume about country leaders,
history, main events,
map, flag, geography, news, politics and media links.
Bermuda e-Government Page
The Government of Bermuda portal, with many useful links.
Bermuda Globalis
Page
Bermuda statistics for agriculture, climate, economy, education,
environment,
gender equality, health, human development, population,
technology, and water.
Telecommunications Reports for
Bermuda
Caribbean Telecommunications
Market Reports - Anguilla to Bermuda
This report from Paul Budde provides an overview of the telecom
markets in Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas,
Barbados and Bermuda. It includes information about fixed-line
and mobile operators, Internet providers, regulatory background
and state of liberalisation. See summary and table of
contents
Caribbean Telecoms Market
Overview and Statistics
Almost all Caribbean countries offer a full range of telecom
services, despite being characterised by small markets in terms
of population. Liberalisation agreements have been reached in
most countries. The major mobile players are the incumbent Cable
& Wireless and Digicel which, in June 2005, agreed to acquire
all the Caribbean operations of Cingular Wireless. The
region’s mobile subscriber base is concentrated in the
hands of these two major players, with only a few smaller
companies edging their way into the newly liberalised markets.
This Paul Budde report provides an overview of the
Caribbean’s telecom sector accompanied by relevant
statistics and a brief profile of the major players. See report table of
contents
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Broadband and Consumer E-Commerce
in Bermuda
July 2007 Review
Bermuda's internet costs
fell sharply in 2004 and 2005 to date, which was most welcome
news to all local home and business consumers, newcomers, tourism
accommodations and international businesses. In addition, there
are a number of Internet Cafes.
Bermuda does not follow the UK methodology of allowing free
Internet access at libraries and local or regional Council
offices. Nor does it offer free or nominal cost Broadband (DSL)
access from the Bermuda Government's Department of Tourism
offices or Visitor Service Centers in the City of Hamilton or
Town of St. George.
AOL and similar are not allowed in Bermuda as they are in other
countries. This is because Local Internet Service Providers
(ISPs) must be Bermudian companies (in other words, at least 60%
beneficially Bermudian owned, directed and managed).
The projected costs of DSL broadband in Bermuda are between
$29.95 for 128K and $99.95 for 512K. Dial-up is about $19.95, it
is however slow (under 56K) and difficult to access.
There are several factors limiting Bermuda's effectiveness as an
electronic commerce. Protectionism legislation, of the type not
found anywhere else in the developed business and commerce world,
makes Bermuda's international e-commerce scenario speculative in
attraction. Presently - and this is not likely to change - local
laws do not allow foreign corporations to own more than 40
percent of a local business (one trading in the local market
place). Overseas based organizations with huge bulk purchasing
power elsewhere and no controls (like Bermuda has) are not
permitted to own local outlets.
For Bermuda does not yet offer adequate intellectual property
protection. Bermuda still has 1950's law, not good enough to
offer the kind of legislation and protection corporate clients of
today need. Laws in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, etc.
are much more modern and businesslike for the electronic age. The
Bermuda Government has import duties (averaging 27.5 percent and
up) levied by the Government on computers, modems, peripherals,
routers and all other relevant electronics. They are the highest
in the Western Hemisphere. In addition to Customs Duties are Air
freight, wharfage and Air Terminal fees. Thus the retail cost in
Bermuda of a new 3.4 GHz computer with 1 G DDR RAM and a 17" LCD
Flat Panel Display is hugely more than in the USA and double that
of the UK. Another factor is the very high Cost of
Living.
Bermuda's internet costs have
fallen sharply recently, in response to irate consumers at home
and abroad. Major improvements have been made to the cost of
Internet access for small or home-based businesses. At long last,
the cost of basic (128K) broadband internet access is now less
than $30 - similar to the cost in "the real world." This was most
welcome news to all local home and business consumers, newcomers,
tourism accommodations and international businesses.
Other ways in which Bermuda is
responding to consumer demand for high speed Internet access
include the establishment of
* A number of privately owned
Internet Cafes
* A Bermuda Government operated
community portal program aimed at senior citizens, in community
centres.
* A Bermuda Government operated
recycled PC program, for seniors in government owned Parish Rest
(care) homes.
* An Internet Access in Public
Places initiative, such as in Post Offices, libraries and other
public buildings, following the UK methodology.
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Keep tuned to the Internet Statistics
Blog. New statistics, figures and updates become available all the
time.
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