Welcome to the Official website of the Department of Telecommunications in the Government of Bermuda’s new Information Portal.

This initial version of the website contains an overview of the functions and responsibilities of the Department and the key contact information. Also included are references to the applicable legislation and regulations and information about the various classes of Radio and Public Telecommunications Service Licenses. The content has been migrated from an existing website and establishes the foundation for the future provision of enhanced information and the delivery of online electronic services.

The Department of Telecommunications will seek to use the capabilities of the Portal to enhance the service delivery experience of its constituents and together with the licensed operators will strive to improve the availability and timeliness of regulatory information and related services.

I invite you to review this site and its contents and ask that comments or suggestions be directed by email to our address at gtelecom@gov.bm.

William G. Francis, CCP
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Telecommunication and eCommerce

The Department of Telecommunications is responsible for:

• Broadcasting
• Coastal Stations
• The Frequency Spectrum: e.g., cellular telephones
• Radio Communication of All Types
• Receiving Systems

The Department of Telecommunications has a small staff of eight people in addition to by two Government Boards:

• The Broadcasting Commissioners, who control broadcasting content and political broadcasts. In addition, the Commissioners rate films and advise the Minister on matters concerning the Obscene Publications Act
  
  
• The Telecommunications Commission, which advises the Minister on the licensing of telecommunications service providers.

The Ministry of Telecommunications recently oversaw the introduction of competition to Bermuda's telecommunications industry, making this one of the world's first small countries to break the stranglehold of monopolies on long distance and local telecommunications. As a result of the Government's action, the cost of long-distance calls has been reduced. Our internal telephone system is 100% digital, with fibre optic trunk lines. Our overseas links are fibre optic cables, and there is considerable redundancy built into the system to negate the effect of faults.