At a press conference last week, Bahrain's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) announced plans for a widespread liberalisation of the local telecoms market - and plans for a third GSM phone license tender.
TRA's General Director, Mr. Horne commented on the announcement of the results of the Strategic and Retail Market Review saying: "The Strategic and Retail Market Review results will move the telecommunications market in the Kingdom of Bahrain to a next major stage in the development of the telecommunications industry, through implementing a package of balanced regulatory measures that will further promote competition and benefit the consumers. Continuous improvements to the services offered to residential and business users in terms of availability, range and prices will be a priority in the next phase of the market's development. The package of regulatory measures proposed is consistent with the Telecommunications Law and supports the Government's objectives outlined in the Second National Telecommunications Plan".
The nine main measures developed out of the strategic and retail market review include;
The details and timing of these measures will be worked out in consultation with the industry once the implementation phase begins.
The Mobile World database notes however that the county's two operators already have 923,000 subscribers - representing a population penetration level of 130% - so any third mobile entrant into the market is going to start a price war.
On the web: Mobile World - Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
Posted to the site on 2nd March 2008
Proposed timeline for changes
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/29661.php