|
---
|
Guadeloupe Profile
Guadeloupe
in the Wikipedia
Guadelope history, politics, map, geography, economy,
demography, full information and links.
Guadeloupe
in the CIA Factbook
Guadeloupe information about the economy, geography,
government,
population, communications, military and transnational
issues.
BBC
Guadeloupe Profile
Up to date resume about country
leaders, history, main events,
map, flag, geography, news, politics and media links.
Guadeloupe
e-Government Page
The Government of Anguilla portal, with many useful
links.
Guadeloupe
Globalis Page
Guadeloupe statistics for agriculture, climate, economy,
education, environment,
gender equality, health, human development, population,
technology, and water.
Telecommunications
Reports for Guadeloupe
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
|
Broadband and Consumer
E-Commerce in Bermuda
July 2005 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.
|
Keep tuned to the Internet
World Stats reports. More figures and updates become
available all the time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
