RA forces mobile phone and internet service price cuts
The island’s major telecoms providers must cut prices and launch new entry-level packages by October 1, under sweeping new rules from the Regulatory Authority of Bermuda.
The move, part of the latest Electronic Communications Market Review, introduces maximum rates of $80 per month for fixed broadband (100 megabits per second/20 Mbps) and $50 per month for mobile plans with at least ten gigabytes of data.
The RA said the changes were aimed at ensuring “fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory” access across broadband, mobile, voice and business connectivity markets.
Providers with major market power, including One Communications and Digicel, will also be required to file quarterly key performance reports from February 28, 2026. Annual price reviews will follow each August through 2028, with adjustments taking effect every October.
A source familiar with the industry described the ruling as “most disruptive to the mobile market”, noting that the $50 cap forces Digicel and OneComm to reset their entry-level plans while putting pressure on competitors.
By existing pricing, Paradise’s 10GB plan at $67 sits $17 above the new threshold, while LiveNet’s 2GB plan at $75 is $25 higher.
Larger bundles face steeper gaps, with Digicel’s 30GB plan priced $70 above the benchmark and OneComm’s $125 plan $75 over.
The review, which is meant to be completed every four years, was delayed by a 12-month extension granted by the Minister of Home Affairs.
For the first time, the RA benchmarked Bermuda against peer jurisdictions. The source said the findings confirmed what many already knew: that Bermuda’s prices were “excessive”.
The decision comes after years of customer frustration over rising rates. In 2023, both Digicel and OneComm raised internet and mobile prices, citing inflation and infrastructure costs, while global surveys repeatedly placed Bermuda among the most expensive jurisdictions for broadband.
Against this backdrop, newcomer Paradise Mobile has launched its “Break Free” campaign, offering up to $1,000 in credits to help customers walk away from contracts.
At the time, Sam Tabbara, the chief executive, said the initiative was about giving customers “true freedom, price certainty and transparency”.
Brett Corday, the chief revenue officer of Paradise Mobile, told The Royal Gazette: “At Paradise, freedom isn’t regulated — it’s built in. These new RA rules are aimed squarely at the incumbents, which says everything about the anti-consumer practices they were designed to fix.
“Our Break Free campaign is literally about empowering people to escape restrictive contracts so they can choose whatever deal is best for them at any time. We have no contracts, no penalties and no gimmicks — when we lower prices, everyone benefits automatically.
“We're pleased to see the Government taking steps to improve affordability, which aligns with our own commitments to reduce the cost of living in Bermuda. And while these rules don't apply to us, we're never ones to rest on our laurels: Paradise will keep leading the way and we’ve got something coming up that locals won’t want to miss out on. Watch this space!’
When contacted by The Royal Gazette, Digicel said it would “respectfully decline to provide a statement”.
OneComm did not respond by press time.
• For the complete Electronic Communications Market Review, see Related Media
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