Caribbean watch: Jamaica's portability, Indotel, Digicel Bermuda

Jamaicans can now switch providers without changing their numbers, as portability became a reality this week.

All telecommunications providers have completed testing and are ready to carry out the process, which should be done at no cost for the customer. The technical process will be provided by Dutch company Porting Access B.V., which was granted a 10-year license in March.

The start of the service was delayed for almost a month due to operator LIME needing to conduct more tests and correct glitches.

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Dominican telecom watchdog Indotel announced its new regulation regarding telephony and broadband services in the Dominican Republic.

The new regulation will "bring up quality standards to an level similar to the rest of Latin America," according to president Gedeón Santos.

The new regulation includes a cooperation agreement with the national institute for consumer protection, and the opening of 32 customer service centers around the country.

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Digicel Bermuda will cut up-front charges for phones on postpaid plans.

The operator will offer discounts of up to the total cost of smartphones for new and existing Digicel customers, varying according to the phone and the type of plan.

Jamaica-based Digicel has been focused on upgrading its offers across the Caribbean, such as launching business-oriented plans in Barbados, as a way of giving it leverage in light of competitor Cable & Wireless Communications' (CWC) acquisition of Columbus International.