Bahrain telecom revenues rise 6% in 2008

Revenues from Bahrain’s telecoms sector increased by six percent last year, the country’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) revealed in its 2008 Annual Report.

Last year Bahrain saw a 29 percent increase in mobile subscribers, a 50 percent increase in broadband subscribers and an eight percent rise in fixed line customers.

"2008 has been an empowering year to consumers. A year that has witnessed more choice of telecommunications services especially fixed wireless broadband using WiMAX technology, better value for money and improved customer services,” TRA’s chairman Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Al Amer stated.

“But we still have a long way to go to achieve sustainable competition in all markets especially the international connectivity that will have an impact on the prices and quality of broadband and international calling achieving the objectives of the Kingdom's 2030 economic vision," Al Amer added.

General director Alan Horne added that the TRA is presently working on providing access to Batelco’s copper network to other licensees with the aim of bringing in more choice for consumers choice, and that STC is working on deploying its network by late 2009 or early 2010.

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