Tasks of ACM in the Caribbean Netherlands
On the islands of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, other laws than those in the European part of the Netherlands apply. With regard to ACM, specific laws for the following sectors apply to the Caribbean Netherlands:
In its regulation of the electricity and drinking water sectors in the Caribbean Netherlands, ACM seeks to strike a balance between three interests:
- Electricity and drinking water must be affordable
- The supply of electricity and drinking water must be secure
- The production of electricity and drinking water must be sustainable.
Balancing these interests
The interests of affordability, security, and sustainability sometimes conflict with each other. It is up to ACM to strike a balance between these interests.
An example: security of supply versus higher tariffs
In order to ensure security of supply, electricity and drinking water companies need to invest in their networks. Such investments cost a lot of money, which these companies may wish to recoup by charging higher consumer tariffs.
Another example: a stable energy network
It is more sustainable to generate power using solar panels or wind turbines. However, if there are a lot of solar panels, a cloud blocking the sun could destabilize the network. In order to make the network more stable, additional investments may be necessary.
In these kinds of situations, ACM seeks to strike a balance between affordability, security, and sustainability.
Three questions to deal with
ACM has stationed two of its employees in the Caribbean Netherlands. They will implement the relevant laws and regulations, taking into account the local situations on Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba. As soon as these rules come into force, we will look into three questions. These three questions are:
- What are reasonable tariffs for electricity and drinking water for consumers and businesses?
- Are the terms and conditions of the electricity and drinking water companies reasonable?
- Are the electricity and drinking water companies financially healthy?
Since 2013, ACM and the Radiocommunications Agency Netherlands (AT) are jointly responsible for the implementation and enforcement of telecommunication regulations in the Caribbean Netherlands under the BES Telecommunications Act. ACM enforces compliance with license requirements by telecom providers and settles disputes between telecom providers, but also oversees the construction, maintenance and removal of telecommunication infrastructure, and regulates the use of telephone numbers.
Responsibility for the allocation of frequencies of for the enforcement of compliance with the technical conditions that are associated with the use of those frequencies lies with the AT.
ACM also enforces compliance with the rules on the postal services market. Flamingo Express Dutch Caribbean is the designated postal carrier in the Caribbean Netherlands. Various courier service providers are also active. ACM ensures that all market participants comply with the license requirements. For example, Flamingo must meet requirements concerning the maximum time for delivering mailpieces on the islands themselves or from one island to another. ACM also makes sure that there is no illegal competition on services that can only be carried out by Flamingo.
Do you have any questions about telecom or postal services in the Caribbean Netherlands?
If you have any questions about telecom or postal services in the Caribbean Netherlands, please contact Bureau Telecommunications and Post.
Postbus 16326
2500 BH Den Haag
Nederland
E-mail: TelecomPostCN [at] acm [punt] nl.