Bahrain Not Interested in 3G - Jumps to WiFi

Bahrain's Batelco is planning a trial of local WiFi service at Bahrain International Airport, a major shopping mall and a number of hotel lobbies, as an alternative to rolling out a 3G network.

Batelco's Head of Corporate Affairs, Harry James, said: "This is yet more proof that Batelco is building an 'intelligent Kingdom' in Bahrain by tailoring leading-edge technologies to the nation's unique characteristics and enabling its citizens to improve their lifestyles and business performance."

The plan is based on Bahrain's urban lay-out and social behaviour. In short, the people of Bahrain like to 'cluster' in public places such as shopping malls, coffee houses and hotels - prime locations for wi-fi enablement.

James explained: "Bahrainis do not need the kind of on-the-move service that 3G is designed to offer. The Kingdom has minimal public transport because it has a 'car culture' - so no demand exists there for 3G, unlike the bus-and-train cultures of Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul and Tokyo. I don't see a need for 3G in the home because people will want to use larger-screen PCs to access the 'net. It's too hot here to sit on the beach and surf the 'net - so that leaves the shopping malls, coffee shops and hotel lobbies, which we can enable with faster wi-fi technology. In addition, Bahrain has a high proportion of technology-savvy youngsters who will be eager to use this kind of service. I'd say Batelco, and Bahrain, are onto a real winner here."

CommsDay Asia editor Grahame Lynch, a globally-respected telecomms and IT commentator, said: "Wi-fi is proving to be a real success story across the world. And, unlike 3G, it has not been over-hyped or over-sold. Given the success of wi-fi in North America and Asia, I have no doubt that the people of Bahrain will also be enthusiastic users of this service."'"

Posted to the site on 21st October 2002