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Bahrain is set to become the first country in the region to be 100 per cent covered by WiMax or wireless technology, the head of the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA), said yesterday.

Alan Horne, the general director of the TRATRA, who was a guest speaker at the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) monthly meet, said that two licenses have been granted to MTC-VBMTC-VB and Mena Telecom to offer WiMax services, a step towards establishing Bahrain as information and communications technology (ICT) hub in the region. "Bahrain was the first country in the region to open up its market to competition with the publishing of the Telecommunications Law in 2002. The law established the TRA and set out a programme of liberalisation. The national telecommunications plan set out the key policies for the sector covering such aspects as the separation of policy, ownership, operation and regulation."

"The current state of competition in the telecommunications market in Bahrain will help to attract further investments and the steps that businesses can take in assisting the growth of the competitive market.

Since then TRA has issued licences to more than 50 companies. Notably MTC-VBMTC-VB became the second mobile operator competing with Batelco. Since liberalisation mobile customers have more than doubled to over 700,000 active handsets. There are more than 30 companies offering some form of international services where competition has been most fierce. The use of pre paid calling cards and VoIP technology have resulted in per minutes rates falling by more than 60 per cent to popular destinations.

"We are now seeing an explosive growth in broadband internet access, a charge led by Batelco. In recent weeks we have seen an increasing level of competitive activities and promises of aggressive price cutting. This is competition starting to work in this important area. A range of economically attractive high speed and high quality broadband services are critical in supporting eGovernment, eCommerce and the eSociety in general.

"This new secure wireless technology will enable high speed voice, data and multi media services to be offered by passing the traditional ground based copper cables to homes and businesses. Due to the scarcity of radio spectrum and the need for diversity there will always be a place for ground based systems. Not only is installing new ground based infrastructure expensive but it is also complex.

"Bahrain not only offers a key location in the region to invest in ICT services but also provides investors with confidence that there is a known regulatory regime and competitive ICT services in place to support regional and international business activities.

"Through widespread adoption of such policies in particular those of Government such as eGovernment, eHealth, eEducation, will drive up the demand for services and strengthen the competitive supply of communications related services.

"The main objective is to ensure that development of telecommunications and information technologies sector fosters economic development of Bahrain, in particular by supporting consolidation of Bahrain's position as the hub for free trade and services, in particular financial, in the region.

"Therefore it is incumbent upon us to ensure that Bahrain establishes itself as a hub for ICT services provided on a regional and even global basis; as a centre for ICT related research and development as well as market and technological activities; ICT sector supports development of other sectors, where the Kingdom already has a lead or is able to gain it, in particular banking and financial sector and Bahraini citizens are empowered to participate in the development of ICT sector and are able to reap benefits of the developments."

He added: The TRA has a key role to play in working with businesses and consumers in supporting their needs for communications systems and services and creating the environment for sustained and competitive supply."

Autor(en)/Author(s): Mehmood Rafique

Quelle/Source: Zawya, 29.06.2007

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