Page 6 - SAMENA Trends - January 2020

SAMENA TRENDS

Positioning the Kingdom of Bahrain
Among the Leading Digital Economies

TRA-Bahrain Continues To Deliver On National

Expectations

TRA believes in creating value; positioning
tele-communications as a pillar of social
and commercial growth for the Kingdom of
Bahrain. Since 2002, more than 2,600 jobs
were created – a 50% increase – and the
industry has accounted to 4% of the GDP.

Leveraging the best available technology and regulation to create the industry has accounted to 4% of the GDP. Earlier, following
a competitive and innovative telecom and ICT sector remains a negotiations with GCC nations, TRA introduced a cap on mobile
core mission of the Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the roaming charges. Furthermore, it has insured that the regulatory
Kingdom of Bahrain. It is this mission that has helped position environment stimulates competition; which in return has a led to a
Bahrain among the most progressive ICT development nations tariff reduction of an average of 25% across a number of services.
with the SA-ME-NA region. Bahrain was the first country in the
MENA region to introduce the Fixed Number Portability and in Focused Strategy
2011, 22,000 consumers switched providers. The TRA is constantly reviewing its regulations and framework
based on a number of principles including consumer protection
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) was and fostering competition. Initiatives include regulating bulk
established in 2002 promulgating the Telecommunications Law messages and monitoring quality of telecommunications
in the Kingdom of Bahrain. services.

The Board of Directors oversees the activities of TRA led by With the aim of achieving its mission and vision objectives, as well
its Acting Chairman, Sh. Hamed bin Mohamed Al Khalifa. The as ensuring it is moving in the right direction, TRA has designed
Acting General Director, Sh. Nasser bin Mohamed Al Khalifa, is a Focused Strategy Framework, which outlines the Authority’s
responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Authority. guidelines to create a communications environment that enriches
the social and commercial fabric of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
TRA carries out its duties independently and in a transparent and
non-discriminatory manner. Ever since its inception, the TRA has TRA is ensuring fulfillment of its plans and initiatives in accordance
focused on liberalizing and developing the telecoms sector by with key strategic market priorities:
promoting an effective and fair competition between established Foster Competition
operators and new entrants while protecting the interest of Initiatives and effective regulation that foster the continued
consumers. growth and development of the telecommunication sector by way
of effective and fair competition.
The drive to pave a path for a more robust and dynamic telecoms Optimised Technologies
industry continues with the change in market dynamics, Initiatives that encourage the adoption, deployment, and
fuelling an unstinting resolve to augment service levels and optimization of the latest technologies that support the growth
exceed expectations on all fronts. TRA believes in creating of the market and deliver higher quality of services to consumers.
value; positioning telecommunications as a pillar of social and Consumer Empowerment
commercial growth for the Kingdom of Bahrain. Since 2002, Initiatives that provide knowledge and tools to empower the
more than 2,600 jobs were created – a 50% increase – and consumers and enrich their experience of the telecommunications

6 JANUARY 2020