Consultation on Future Bahrain Spectrum Policy

The Ministry of Transportation (MoT) and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of Bahrain through a joint consultation document have invited comments on their proposals concerning the future spectrum policy of the Kingdom. The consultation takes into account the developments in wireless technologies and their needs in terms of spectrum, and seeks views so as to chart a long-term policy for Bahrain in this area. It invites comments on the overall principles of spectrum management policy, issues of spectrum pricing such as auctions and "beauty contests", trials, and spectrum requirements for services such as WiMax, Fixed Wireless Access, and public and private mobile communications.

Undersecretary of Ministry if Transportation, H.E. Sh. Mohammed Bin Khalifa Bin Ali Al-Khalifa, said: "There is no doubt about the significant impact of the consultation outcomes as it will consolidate the vision of the Kingdom of Bahrain for the Radio Frequency Spectrum, and, therefore, will establish the Kingdom to be the regional telecommunications industry model. We encourage participants to contribute to future telecommunications industry of the Kingdom of Bahrain by offering their suggestions."

The General Director of the TRA, Mr. A. Andreas Avgousti, said: "The results of this consultation will influence the long-term development and roll out of wireless technologies in Bahrain, and by implication of the industry as a whole. We urge all interested parties, be they manufacturers, service providers or consumers, to work with us by offering their comments. The decisions taken now will be with us for a long time and their impact will be very significant, given that the number of licenses to be issued for spectrum are by their nature limited."

The deadline for comments is 21 December 2005."

Posted to the site on 24th November 2005