Bermuda’s electronic communications and electricity sectors are to be guided by two new sets of standards designed to protect consumers, the Regulatory Authority of Bermuda has announced.

The standards, which are subject to consultation, are the Principles of Consumer Protection and Market Review.

Consumer Protection aims to provide a single point of reference to protect consumers’ interests, promote the delivery of high-quality services and products, and encourage best practices by licensee in both sectors.

This includes honest marketing and advertising, bills that are easy to understand and better handling of complaints and covers services such as fixed and mobile telephone, long distance, internet access, subscription television and supply of electricity. Market Review offers more protection for consumers by analysing the state of competition in the various electronic communications markets such as broadband and mobile.

The aim is to create an environment to determine whether remedies should be applied or if existing regulations should be removed. Denton Williams, chief executive of the authority, said: “The regulatory authority is mandated to ensure that providers of electronic communications and electricity services treat their customers in a transparent manner and deliver services that are reliable, efficient, adequate and safe.

“We are committed to protecting the rights of consumers and believe that the Consumer Protection and Market Review protects consumers and promotes business practices and pricing that are both fair and reasonable.”

The authority invites interested parties to submit comments on its website https://rab.bm/ under “Consultations and Responses”.

The deadline for submission for Consumer Protection is March 15 and March 7, 2019 for Market Review.