Wireless Alternative Launched As Batelco Enters Next NGN Phase

October 2007 | Company News Alert

In a sign that developments across Bahrain's broadband sector are hotting up, it has been announced that the incumbent Batelco is now on target to roll out phase three of its next generation network, while Zain (formerly MTC ) has launched a national WiMAX network across the kingdom. This forms part of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA)'s plans to bring greater competition to Batelco. The incumbent, having long dominated the broadband sector, had become complacent over driving growth in the market, while quality of services and high tariffs plagued the sector. At the end of 2006, the TRA announced there to have been 39,000 broadband subscriptions at the end of 2006, providing a penetration rate of under 5%. However, with the TRA proactive in licensing new operators, in addition to witnessing the licensing of alternative operators in the form of WiMAX services, BMI forecasts a sharp upturn in broadband use over the coming few years. By the end of 2009, we forecast penetration rates to reach 20%, rising to over 25% by the end of our forecast period.

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