Mobile Operators to Lower Rates for Roaming in GCC Countries

Consumer Saving Upheld

Seef District, Kingdom of Bahrain - Sunday 12 February 2012 - With the consumers' interest in mind, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the Kingdom of Bahrain in coordination with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC) has issued an instruction to all mobile operators to implement reduced tariffs for international calls made to GCC countries while roaming in GCC countries. This follows a decision of the Ministerial Committee of the GCC Council to introduce maximum prices.

This is a major step in the reduction of roaming prices for voice calls. Consumers will now benefit from lower rates when making calls back home and international calls while roaming. The maximum rates will only apply to voice calls made within and between GCC countries and not to data services (e.g. mobile broadband or SMS) at this point.

Commenting on this development, TRA's General Director, Mr. Mohamed Bubashait, said: "The implementation of maximum prices will bring further saving to consumers roaming between the GCC member states and will support cross-border business activities. Cost-effective and efficient telecommunications services raise the competitiveness of all economic sectors by way of providing cost reductions and convenience of access to telecommunications services. This contributes towards improving business and individual productivity and enhancing the Kingdom's and the region's attractiveness as a global investment center."

Mr. Bubashait further stated: "This is a major achievement for TRA, which has led the development and negotiation of the GCC roaming regulation for the benefit of all GCC consumers."

The decision sets the maximum charge applicable to international calls to 249 fils per minute, from any GCC country to another GCC country made by a Bahraini mobile user while roaming in any GCC country and using any of the existing mobile operators. The decision also limits the charge applicable to local calls made within the visited GCC country by a Bahraini mobile user while roaming in that country to 104 fils per minute to either a fixed or mobile number within that country.

TRA's Market and Competition Manager, Mr. Adel Darwish, stated: "TRA is working closely with mobile telecommunications companies to ensure smooth implementation of this decision and is coordinating with other GCC regulators to ensure that this decision is in line with the GCC Council's objectives and directions."

Currently Bahraini consumers pay as much as 1 Bahraini Dinar per minute for calls made back to Bahrain while roaming in some GCC countries, meaning that this decision will achieve a reduction in call costs of up to 75% depending on the current prices of different countries and operators. With this decision implemented across all GCC countries, consumers will be more comfortable using their own mobile phones while roaming.

Below are the maximum prices for international roaming services within the GCC applying to all mobile subscribers of Batelco, Zain-Bahrain and Viva-Bahrain starting February 2012.

Maximum prices for international roaming services

When roaming in

Call type

Qatar

Kuwait

KSA

UAE

Oman

Caps for Voice Call made to Bahrain while roaming in

249 fils

Caps for Voice Call received from Bahrain while roaming in

not regulated

Caps for Voice Call made to any GCC Number while roaming in

249 fils

Caps for Voice Call received while roaming in

not regulated

Caps for Voice call made within the visited country (Fixed or mobile)

104 fils

Data (e.g. mobile broadband, SMS, MMS)

not regulated, commercial rates apply

For further information about GCC roaming charges you may contact your mobile service provider.

About TRA
Since its establishment in 2002 the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the Kingdom of Bahrain (TRA) has been working with government, consumers, operators and investors to develop the Kingdom of Bahrain into the region's most modern communications hub and to facilitate the growth of the market. As an exemplary Regulator for the region, TRA independently carries out its duties in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner. More information about TRA can be viewed at www.tra.org.bh

Media Contact
Abdulelah Abdulla
Communications Manager
Tel: +973 17 520000
Mobile: +973 36368555
Fax: +973 17 532125
Email: aabdulla@tra.org.bh