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This section provides detailed information on Cayman telecommunications, internet providers and monthly costs; how to get a mobile phone and what the different telcom providers offer in the Cayman Islands.
Telecommunications
The telecommunications industry in the Cayman Islands has seen many changes in the past few years and continues to evolve resulting in better rates, better service and more options for the consumer. The main providers are Cable & Wireless, Digicel, WestTel, and TeleCayman.
Local & Long Distance
As soon as you arrive you will want to arrange a local telephone service. Unlike in the US, every provider must be able to provide local as well as long distance telephone services. Therefore, there are several choices when wanting to speak to your friends and family overseas. You can either use a fixed line, a wireless fixed line, a cellular phone or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). All the cellular providers offer an International Direct Dialing service and, depending on your rate plan, prices are often comparable to those charged by fixed lines. They also offer International Text Messaging (SMS) service at a very reasonable cost as an alternative to making a call. Cable & Wireless and TeleCayman provide long distance telephone services via the traditional telephone network. Cable & Wireless offers picture messaging, which can be used to supplement voice to voice communication and they also offer international calling via the Internet using a VoIP service called NetSpeak. With NetSpeak you get unlimited international calling for a flat rate, starting at CI$39.95 per month. Service options include access to overseas and toll free numbers so that friends and family from overseas can call you for little or nothing. You can use a regular phone, a WiFi phone or your computer to make and receive calls. Be sure to check the cost of calling abroad before you dial. There are plenty of people who have been shocked by their phone or credit card bills when dialling from Cayman. Although the rates have been getting lower, they are still considerably more than in many parts of the developed world. You can check with all providers as to their rates for international destinations.
Cable & Wireless offers a choice of residential plans called Home Plans and you can download an order form from their website (www.cw.ky). Complete the form and fax it to (345) 949 0039 or drop it off at their offices at Anderson Square (GT), Galleria Plaza (SMB) or Stake Bay (CB). The timeline for getting your residential line installed varies, but it is up to 15 business days. If you are building a home in a newly developed area then you should check directly with Cable & Wireless to confirm the expected time of installation.
Digicel provides both local and international fixed location voice services to business customers through their broadband wireless network.
WestTel provides telephone service via wireless broadband connection (VoIP). They can provide you with a permanent phone number and all the equipment you need within a few hours. There is no connection fee and all the hardware you need is lent to you at no cost.
TeleCayman provides residential Internet, local and long distance telephone services. They are the only provider to offer free calling to all other numbers on their local network. TeleCayman has a few long distance calling plans to choose from, depending on your needs. They also give you an additional discount on your bill each month if you also sign up for their Internet service. To sign up for TeleCayman services call 769 1000 or visit www.telecayman.com.
The Information & Communications Technology Authority (ICTA) regulates all forms of telecommunications including mobile, local and international telephone service, Internet access, television, amateur radio, land-based radio transmitters and .ky domain names. Providers of these types of services must be licensed by the ICTA in order to operate in the Cayman Islands. A complete list of providers is available at www.icta.ky. You can also browse the list of companies which have submitted applications for licences. This is the best way to keep up-to-date with what is available in the way of telecommunications in the Cayman Islands.
Mobile Service
All Cayman mobile phone service providers us GSM technology so you should consult your existing provider to ensure that your mobile phone is compatible. As a guideline, CDMA is the technology used by Verizon and Sprint in the USA, and Telus and Bell in Canada. GSM is the technology used by Vodaphone, O2 and Orange in Europe, Cingular and T-Mobile in the USA, and Rogers Wireless and Microcell in Canada.
As rates are always subject to change, please contact the companies directly for the most accurate information. Once you pick your provider you must choose between a pre-paid and a post-paid service plan. The advantage of pre-paid service is that there is no monthly fee, contractual commitment or deposit. You will simply need to purchase pre-paid cards to top up your account as needed. Electronic top-up options are also available on-line, at ATM’s, and at locations such as gas stations and supermarkets equipped with top-up terminals. Check with your chosen provider for the list of top-up options they offer. The advantage of a post-paid plan is that by purchasing a bucket of minutes on a monthly basis the cost per minute is less. Look for new pricing plans that offer lower rates on international calls by adding them to your bundled minutes. These plans are especially geared to the resident who calls abroad often. Plans are available from Cable & Wireless to share minutes with other people and to set up calling circles to reduce calling costs to people within the circle. When you sign up for mobile service be sure to inquire about roaming services and applicable rates if you plan to do a lot of travelling and use your phone while you are away. All providers offer roaming so that people can reach you on your local cell phone number while you are abroad.
Before you rely on using your existing phone in Cayman, it is advisable to actually check that it is compatible with the Islands’ networks. You can call your home provider and ask if your phone works in the Cayman Islands. They should be able to tell you. If not, you can easily buy a new phone on-Island for a reasonable price.
Internet Providers
Cable & Wireless offers a full suite of data transmission products ranging from high speed Internet to wireless home networks. They also offer fast installation, 24/7 customer support and a free modem with each ADSL Internet plan. An Internet security computer protection add-on is also available for a low monthly fee. Currently, the highest ADSL Internet speeds (to homes) are being provided by Cable & Wireless. A complete list of their products is available on their website, www.cw.ky.
Digicel offers broadband Internet access to business customers through their broadband wireless network.
WestTel offers the only true mobile broadband ‘Plug and Surf’ for Internet and telephone service. Customers simply choose from a number of attractive packages, pick up a unit from the WestTel/WestStar offices at Governors Square on West Bay Road, take it home, plug it in and start surfing the Internet straight away. There is no deposit and no waiting for an engineer to call at your home. The solution is especially beneficial to people who have just arrived on the Island and may be in temporary accommodation awaiting their permanent residence. When you then move to your permanent home you can take your Internet and telephone number with you without involving your provider or a technician. (WestStar is a sister company to WestTel providing cable TV.)
TeleCayman offers a range of always-on broadband Internet packages for home and office. Packages provide speeds of up to 2 Mbps and higher for super users. They provide you with up to 10 email accounts, as well as anti-SPAM and virus protection. More information is available on their website, www.telecayman.com.
Cellular mobile Internet service is also available. Mobile Internet service gives you access to mobile email, web-browsing and on-line updates using your mobile phone or PDA. Also available from all mobile providers are PC cards, which give full mobile Internet service on a laptop computer. Visit local mobile providers’ stores or websites for details.
Internet Access Plans
Cable & Wireless
Residential Broadband plans: (Upload speeds in mega bytes and download speeds in Kilo bytes. Cost per month based on one year contract.)
Mega: 1.0Mb/256Kb for CI$40
Mega Plus: 2.0Mb/512Kb for CI$59
Mega Boost: 3.0Mb/512Kb for CI$74
Mega Max: 4.0Mb/512Kb for CI$99
You can get 10% off the monthly broadband rate when you sign up for a Home Plan (residential fixed line service). Month to month (or no contract) rates are also available. All plans include: 25 MB email box size, free modem, free HotSpot access, free spam and virus blocker and 24/7 customer support. Setup fee: CI$60 (one-time fee).
Business Broadband plans: (Cost per month based on three year contract price)
Premier: 3.0Mb/512Kb for $91.20
Premier Plus: 4.0Mb/1Mb for $111.20
Premier Max: 6.0Mb/1Mb for $155.20
All plans include: one static IP address, free wireless modem, free Internet identity, spam and virus blocker, ZoneAlarm Internet security suite, 50 MB email box size and 24/7 customer support. Setup fee: CI$60 (one-time fee). One and two year service commitment periods (or contracts) are also available.
Digicel
Broadband plans in kbits:
ADSL 128 for CI$30
ADSL 256 for CI$40
ADSL 512 for CI$55
ADSL 1024 for CI$70
ADSL 2048 for CI$130
Installation fee of CI$200 and a refundable deposit of CI$399.
TeleCayman
Broadband-on-Demand Package: (upload/ download rates in kbits and cost per month)
ADSL 128/64 for CI$37
ADSL 256/128 for CI$40
ADSL 512/256 for CI$58
ADSL 1544/512 for CI$98
ADSL 2048/1544 for CI$143
Installation: CI$99 (one time fee)
Monthly fees are reduced if bundled with voice services.
WestTel
Broadband plans: (upload/download rates in kbits and cost per month)
Speed Saver: 256/256 for CI$44
Bronze: 512/256 for CI$54
Silver: 1024/512 for CI$64
Gold: 1546/512 for CI$94
Platinum: 2048/512 for CI$144
No installation fee, no deposit and no telephone line required. Just a modem!
Providers’ Contacts
Cable & Wireless (CI) Ltd.
Galleria Plaza, West Bay Road
Tel: (345) 949 7800 Fax: (345) 949 0086
Monday to Saturday 8am–6pm
Email: cs@candw.ky
Digicel
Royale Plaza, George Town
Tel: (345) 623 3444 Fax: (345) 949 0005
Email: caycustomercare@digicelgroup.com
www.digicelgroup.com
TeleCayman
Corporate Centre, 4th Floor, Hospital Rd
Tel: (345) 769 1000 Fax: (345) 769 0999
Email: info@telecayman.com
WestTel
Governor Square, West Bay Road
Tel: (345) 745 5555 Fax: (345) 949 0021
Email: info@westtel.ky
Phone Repairs
Cellular World
Mirco Centre, North Sound Way
Tel: (345) 945 2355 Fax: (345) 946 2355
(You can also buy phones there)
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