NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Aliv is preparing to revise its mobile data packages next year amid consumer complaints over rapidly depleted data allowances according to a company executive.
Keiran Chase, Director of Consumer Sales for the Cable Bahamas Group of Companies, revealed at the 20th Annual Exuma Business Outlook Seminar on Thursday that changes to the company’s data plans are expected during the fourth quarter of its financial year, which he placed between March and July 2027.
“Essentially what we’re pressured to do is make changes to our plan suite, which is expected to take place in Q4 of our financial year,” Chase said.
“In layman’s terms, that’s somewhere between March and July of next year.”
Chase acknowledged customer frustration over how quickly mobile data allowances are consumed, pointing to changes in social media applications that have increased data usage.
“Essentially, the data goes too fast,” he said. Chase explained that applications such as Facebook and Instagram now automatically load and play videos as users scroll, unlike previously when videos often required users to wait for content to load or manually press play.
“Now when you log into Facebook, Instagram, any other app, if you go like this and you scroll down 10 videos, all of them are already playing. It’s because from you open the app, it’s already been loaded,” he said.
He acknowledged that telecommunications providers must adjust their offerings to reflect changing consumer behaviour and ensure customers receive value for money.
“That’s now pressure for us to essentially absolve you guys of in terms of how do we optimize that experience and make sure that it’s one that you don’t feel cheated out of your data, you don’t feel cheated out of your services that you would have paid for,” Chase said.
The discussion also highlighted growing competition from Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which has emerged as an alternative for residents and businesses in areas where traditional broadband services remain limited or unavailable.
When pressed about Starlink’s presence in Exuma and whether improvements to Cable Bahamas’ infrastructure could reduce customers’ reliance on satellite internet, Chase acknowledged the competitive challenge.
“Starlink is a global phenomenon,” he said. “It’s not something to avoid or be afraid of.”
He explained that the company is evaluating how to differentiate its services from those offered by Starlink.
“Essentially how we internalize the presence of Starlink as a business is what is our differentiators, us versus Starlink in the market,” Chase said.
Chase identified Aliv’s MiFi product as a major contributor to increased network demand, explaining that the portable internet devices, initially marketed as a backup connectivity option, have become increasingly popular among customers seeking dedicated internet access.