Page 117 - SAMENA Trends - October 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

A SNAPSHOT OF REGULATORY ACTIVITIES

IN SAMENA REGION

Bahrain

The Kingdom’s National Broadband Network (BNET) was optic network across Bahrain and the provision of high-speed
officially launched at a high level press conference held at the Internet services for OLO’s on a fair and competitive basis. “The
Capital Club. The launch was announced by Batelco Chairman, company will continue to complete the separation process as
Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, in the presence of the required in line with the Government’s strategy and future vision
Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Kamal for the telecommunications sector.” “This step is part of a series
Ahmed, BNET CEO Mohamed Bubashait, CEO’s of OLO’s (Other of initiatives aimed to enhance Bahrain’s position as a strategic
Licensed Operators) and members of Bahrain’s media. During investment destination, a regional ICT hub and a major contributor
the event, the BNET logo, which will soon be rolled out to all to upgrading the Kingdom’s telecommunications services,” he
customer touch points, was revealed. The launch event follows concluded. (October 19, 2019) newsofbahrain.com
on from the announcement of Batelco’s legal separation into
two independent entities, which was announced at an earlier The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of
press conference held in May. As part of the legal separation, a the Kingdom of Bahrain has recently published its latest
new executive structure was implemented and new CEOs were Telecommunications Services Residential Market Survey report.
appointed for both Batelco and BNET. Independent buildings and According to the results of the survey, Internet users have reached
departments were also allocated for each entity, in line with the 99% which is a clear indication of the increasing affordability of
nature of the companies’ work. In line with the requirements of the Internet services in Bahrain. The Kingdom leads the global ranking
4th National Telecommunications Plan approved by the Council of the percentage of Internet users, according to data released
of Ministers in May 2016, BNET will provide broadband network by the International Telecommunication Union. The results of the
services to all licensed operators including Batelco, whereas, survey show that Internet applications represent most internet
Batelco will focus solely on retail and corporate operations. Mr. activities such as social media applications. For instance, 99%
Ahmed expressed his pleasure at the launch event by saying, “I of respondents said they use WhatsApp and YouTube, 95% use
would like to thank the team involved in the implementation of Instagram and Facebook and 90% use Snapchat. With regard to
this successful project, which contributed towards turning the mobile telephony services, almost all respondents have a mobile
vision of the National Telecommunications plan into a reality, phone service. However, the survey shows that the percentage
and is being witnessed today during this event. This project is of users having two or more mobile SIM cards is in decline,
a major leap for the services provided by telecommunications reaching 16% in 2018 compared to 38% in 2017. This reflects
companies, where all customers will be able to benefit from high- the developments in mobile telephony packages such as the
speed Internet services from all telecom providers.” During the introduction of new and comprehensive packages as well as
event, Mr. Mohamed Bubashait, CEO of BNET gave a detailed the significantly increasing use of mobile data. The survey also
presentation about the company’s vision and functions as well as indicates that the main reason put forward by respondents for
its strategy for managing the national network’s infrastructure. having more than one SIM card was to have separate SIMs for
The presentation also included a detailed explanation of the business and personal use. As for the fixed line service, the results
operational model and work mechanism that the company will of the survey showed that 16% of the households surveyed have
follow to achieve its objectives. Also revealed was BNET’s new a fixed telephone line due to the high dependence on mobile
logo, designed to symbolize both the national network and the phone services. Regarding telecommunications services users’
Kingdom while being distinguishable from Batelco. Shaikh Abdulla satisfaction, the survey results showed that 85% of respondents
stated that he was very pleased to announce the launch of BNET expressed their satisfaction with telecommunications services
which is a key part of the Fourth National Telecommunication in Bahrain. Moreover, users’ proposals were focused on lowering
Plan (NTP4) to develop the growth and economic diversification prices and increasing the quality of services. “The results of this
of the telecommunication sector, including rolling out a fiber optic survey show significant developments in the nature by which
network to 100 per cent of all businesses and 95pc of all households telecommunications services are used and required by users.”
across the Kingdom. “The restructure of Batelco is now complete Says Acting General Director Sh. Nasser bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.
with independent management teams and human resources in “The high number of Internet users in Bahrain and the volume
place. BNET’s teams are now working on the implementation of of internet usage that require high speeds and large amounts
its strategic plans which focus on the development of the fiber of data, in addition to the desire of users to obtain services at

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