Bahamas
Telecommunications Company (BTC) today refuted claims circulating on social
media that BTC charged for the use of WhatsApp, stating that its use remains
free on the BTC network.
BTC
wrote on their Facebook site that BTC likes WhatsApp. “They are our friends. We
won’t be charging anyone to chat using WhatsApp.”
Cable
& Wireless (C&W) and WhatsApp have a strategic marketing partnership giving
BTC access to the full range of WhatsApp features. John Reid, C&W consumer
group president said, “This partnership with WhatsApp will improve ease and
convenience of communication technology, enrich our customers’ experience, and
is therefore consistent with our mission – “Connecting Communities… and
Transforming Lives.”
Given
that BTC is the only commercial mobile operator in The Bahamas, this new
partnership does not change the way it treats or charges for WhatsApp, its
business as usual. Customers will still require an active mobile data plan to
allow them the connectivity needed to use WhatsApp.
BTC
customers will still require a working internet connection to access WhatsApp
either by subscribing to a mobile data plan, or by accessing a WIFI connection.
However, any new mobile operator providing cellular service in The Bahamas will
not be able to provide the same type of WhatsApp service and benefits to its
customers since BTC will be the only operator to exclusively provide this
service.
The partnership continues the
unrestricted access to WhatsApp for BTC customers. However in the near future, as a result of
this partnership and as the suite of products and services evolve, BTC will be
developing and offering customers new and different types of WhatsApp data
packages that give customers even better value.
