Thomas C. Famous. Photo: Provided

Residents of Bermuda and the Virgin Islands are paying some of the highest Digicel data rates in the Caribbean. Photo: Provided

Perhaps, some of the highest rates, in the entire Western Hemisphere.

One of the first tenants of journalism is to check various sources for verifiable information and to be able to cite those sources in one's presentation. So, for full transparency, much of the information presented today will come from Digicel’s very own website.

Digicel is the largest mobile network in the region over the last twenty years. They operate in almost every Caribbean country, ranging from large islands such as Jamaica, to not so large islands such as Anguilla.

Interestingly enough, their mobile data rates vary from island to island. Here is a detailed breakdown of the best rates, in US Dollars, island by island.

·         Anguilla: 25 GB for $110 or $4 per GB

·         Antigua and Barbuda: 7GB for $50 or $7 per GB

·         Barbados: 15 GB for $100 or $7 per GB

·         Bermuda: 16 GB for $199 or $12 per GB

·         Bonaire: 18 GB for $100 or $5 per GB

·         British Virgin Islands: 5 GB for $75 or $15 per GB

·         Cayman Islands: 8 GB for $125 or $16 per GB

·         Dominica: 15 GB for $90 or $6 per GB

·         Grenada: 20 GB for $110 or $5.50 per GB

·         Montserrat: 15 GB for $70 or $5 per GB

·         St Vincent: 30 GB for $110 or $4 per GB

·         St Lucia: 50 GB for $115

·         St Kitts: 30 GB for $90 or $3 per GB

·         Trinidad and Tobago: unlimited for $100

·         Turks and Caicos: 12 GB for $168

·         Jamaica: $100 for 20 GB or $5 per GB

Going further, let's look at some non-Digicel mobile rates in other countries.

·         T-Mobile / USA : unlimited for $85

·         Bahamas: 15 GB for $70 or 4.70 per GB

·         Rogers Canada: $40 GB for $210 or $5 per GB

As we can see, the Digicel rates vary from island to island. One would think or hope, that with such a wide network of millions of customers, there could be one standard rate of reasonable pricing offered to loyal clients.

As prime example, how is it that those in Anguilla can get 25 GB of mobile data for $110, yet a mere 100 miles to the west, Virgin Island residents would have to pay $225, or twice as much, for the same amount of data?

Ironically, the population of the VI is twice that of Anguilla, so should not a larger population, or client base, equate to lower rates?

I must confess, I do not have a degree in telecommunications, or know how their rates are calculated. Perhaps, it is some M.I.T. like calculus, that is used in formulating which island pays what fee. However, what I do know from the information is that residents of Bermuda and the Virgin Islands are paying some of the highest data rates on this side of the world.

Many persons in both Bermuda and the Virgin Islands are rightly asking what can be done about these sky high prices.

Presently, mobile and internet providers in Bermuda fall under the Regulatory Authority of Bermuda (RAB). As of April 2019, the Bermuda government has lifted the moratorium on how many companies can provide these services.

Simply put, the Bermuda government has opened the door for other providers. With increased competition, or the threat of increased competition, there must be a lowering of rates that are presently being charged.

With the new Consumer Protection Bill, that is a Bi-Partisan effort between the Government and Opposition parties in the VI, hopefully there should be some action towards the mobile rates being charged in the territory.

Our countries should not hold the dubious record of some of the most expensive places in the world to use mobile data.