Telecoms news from Bahrain

Batelco Profits Fall on Weaker Performance in Home Market

Bahrain based Batelco has reported a 17 percent fall in its first quarter profits as the company was hurt by increased competition in its home market. ...more.

Bahrain's Viva Preparing for LTE Launch

Bahrain's Viva is preparing to launch its LTE network, with coverage at launch expected to reach 95 percent of the population. ...more.

Zain Required to Float 15% of Bahrain Subsidiary Shares in IPO

Bahrain's government has approved a new law that will require Zain to list at least 15% of its local subsidiary on the stock market. ...more.

Batelco Awards Managed Services Contract to Ericsson

Bahrain's Batelco has extended its long standing partnership with Ericsson by signing a three-year managed services agreement. ...more.

Batelco Launches LTE Network in Bahrain

Bahrain's Batelco has launched its LTE network -- making it the first network in the country to offer the service. ...more.

Huawei Opens IT Facility in Bahrain

Huawei has announced the opening of its first Middle East IT Competence Center located in Bahrain. ...more.

Fitch Affirms Batelco at 'BBB-'; Outlook Stable

Fitch said that the rating reflects Batelco's leading position in the domestic market, its robust free cash flow on a group level despite elevated competition and EBITDA margin pressure. ...more.

Batelco Sues Indian Partner for Non-Payment Following Dispute Settlement

Bahrain's Batelco has announced that it has started legal action against its former Indian partner, Siva and is looking to recover US$184.8 million following the collapse of their joint-venture. ...more.

Batelco Command Centre and NOC Upgraded

Bahrain's Batelco says that it has upgraded its Command Centre and Network Operations Centre (NOC) located at the Company Hamala headquarters. ...more.

Batelco Secures Reduction in Regulatory Fine

Bahrain's Batelco has announced that the telecoms regulator, the TRA has reduced a fine it imposed in 2009 covering access to international cable facilities. ...more.

Batelco Still Interested in Re-Entering Indian Mobile Market

Bahrain's Batelco is interested in taking control of companies where it holds minority stakes and has not ruled out another attempt to launch a network in India. ...more.

Batelco Confirms Talks to Buy Cable & Wireless Communications Subsidiary

Bahrain's Batelco has confirmed that it is in talks that could lead to a takeover deal for part of Cable & Wireless Communications. ...more.

Vodafone and Zain Sign Partnership Agreement

Vodafone has confirmed the details of the previously rumoured talks with Zain and is to expand its Partner Market presence in the Middle East. ...more.

Bahrain's Regulator Denies Selling Customer Data

Bahrain's telecoms regulator, the TRA has denied reports that it had sold subscriber details to marketing companies. There has been an upsurge in spam messages sent to mobile phones in recent months, ...more.

Bahrain Regulator Says 28,000 People Have Migrated their Mobile Number

Bahrain's telecoms regulator, the TRA has announced that over 28,000 people have used Mobile Number Portability since it was introduced last July. ...more.

Batelco's Reported Subscriber Base Drops 40% After Indian Write-Off

Bahrain's Batelco Group has reported an 8 percent drop in its first quarter profits of BD16.1 million (US$42.7 million) on revenues that had also dropped by 4 percent to BD78.0 million (US$206.9 million). ...more.

Batelco and Qtel Sign Cooperation Agreement

Bahrain and Qatar's two dominant telco's have signed an agreement to expand existing cooperation between the two companies. ...more.

Batelco Introduces SMS Translation Service

Bahrain's Batelco has introduced a new SMS service to translate text from English to Arabic instantly. ...more.

Bahrain Plans LTE Spectrum Sale Later This Year

Bahrain's telecoms regulator, the TRA has confirmed that it will offer additional radio spectrum later this year. ...more.

Profits and Revenues Down at Bahrain's Batelco

Bahrain based Batelco has reported a drop of 8% in its full-year profits of BD80 million (US$212.2 million), as revenues also fell by 4% to BD327 million (US$867.4 million). ...more.