Page 19 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2020

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Batelco First with National 5G Coverage in Bahrain

Batelco announced that it has successfully activated 5G coverage
across Bahrain. The 5G coverage is available in all 4 governorates
and this month cover 95% of the nation’s population, making
Batelco the first operator to have national 5G coverage in Bahrain
and positions Batelco among the leading operators in the GCC. In
March 2019, Batelco signed a partnership agreement with Ericsson
to build a national 5G mobile network over a period of 2 years.
Ericsson has been the technology partner of choice for a number
of leading telecom operators around the world, such as AT&T, O2,
T-Mobile, Verizon, Vodafone UK and Vodafone Germany. In June
2019, Batelco announced being the first operator in Bahrain and
among the first in the region to deliver commercial 5G network
services for its customers. Batelco CEO Mikkel Vinter explained
“Covering Bahrain with 5G is a key strategic goal for Batelco, both time enabling technologies such as self-driven vehicles, robotics
at the corporate and national level. It’s is a technology that will in healthcare, self-operated machines in heavy industries, and
change the telecom industry as we know it today and will open many more that will enrich the life of societies and transform our
up endless possibilities in the digital space.” “At Batelco, we align industries and economies.” Mr. Vinter added. “The entire Batelco
our strategic decisions with Bahrain’s vision for the telecom team are very proud of the national 5G coverage that is in line
sector and the digital economy, and we are committed to be at the with Bahrain’s economic vision for 2030 and we are very grateful
forefront of the digital transformation in Bahrain. We are investing to the Board of Directors for their strong support to Batelco
in 5G today to serve our customers and the citizens of Bahrain being the leader of 5G technology in Bahrain.” Mr. Vinter added.
with the latest technologies, and to lay the foundation for what 5G It is becoming clear that the year 2020 is a turning point for 5G
will bring for the next generation.” “Today, 5G users will enjoy high technology. Almost all smart phone manufacturers have launched
internet speeds up to ten times faster their current experience, their 5G-compatible devices and are now available in the market,
low latency, and the ability to process heavy data with speed and such as Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, and LG. The readiness for 5G
efficiency. Customers will feel this in video streaming, gaming, technology by different carriers along with the phones is allowing
virtual reality and other internet-based technologies.” “However, customers to experience the transformation that 5G will bring.
the full potential of 5G is yet to be experienced. Soon we will see Now that the 5G foundation is in place, the full ecosystem for this
millions of devices gathering and sharing information in real technology is starting to take shape.

Batelco Net Profit Rises 41% in Q3

Bahraini telecoms group Batelco has operating profit for the quarter increased
announced its financial results for the by 38% to BHD20.1 million from BHD14.6
three-month period ending 30 September million in the year ago period. Batelco’s
2020, reporting a 41% rise in net profit to total subscriber base stood at 3.8 million
BHD14.4 million (USD38.0 million) from at the end of September 2020, down from
BHD10.2 million in the corresponding 4.1 million twelve months earlier, with
period of 2019, which the company said international operations contributing 53%
was mainly attributable to an 18% year- of revenues and 50% of EBITDA, compared
on-year decrease in operating expenses. with 56% and 58% respectively in Q3 2019.
Net profit for the first nine months of Batelco CEO Mikkel Vinter commented:
2020, meanwhile, increased by 14% y-o-y ‘The financial results in the third quarter
to BHD50.3 million. Revenues during the remained positive and consistent with our
period declined 1% compared to Q3 2019, performance for the first six months of the
from BHD96.9 million to BHD95.9 million, year. This reflects the dedicated efforts
while a 4% drop to BHD285.7 million was of the entire team in Batelco and their
recorded for the first nine months of 2020. commitments to achieve their targets in a
EBITDA rose by 21% to BHD31.6 million in very dynamic environment. Our priority has have set for ourselves, while focusing on
the third quarter and by 13% in the nine- been delivering our promise to the Board our customers and their increased demand
month period to BHD120.1 million, while and achieving the strategic objectives we for digital services and solutions.’

19 SEP-OCT 2020