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Bahrain: Huge potential for ICT industry growth

Packet technology to revolutionise concept of broadband services
With an estimated business of $50 billion in Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry in the Middle East in 2006, ICT as an industry is set to grow substantially this year in the wake of innovative technologies being introduced in the market including packet network. The cutting-edge packet network has been proved as an efficient, reliable and cost effective option for the banks and financial institutions in the Middle, a top executive at one of the world's leading technology companies has said.

Michael Lai, CEO Green Packet International, a leading broadband wireless technology provider and next generation mobile solutions developer, told a regional meeting titled 'turning partnership into revenue' that the new technology would totally revolutionise the concept of broadband services in the Middle East. Bahrain, according to him, has a potential to become an ICT hub in future.

Lai, who addressed the GPN partner meeting in Bahrain - the first of its kind regional meet attended by 35 companies from 15 countries with total 45 partners, said that GPN would use Bahrain as a hub to entire region.

"This region has a huge growth potential for technology especially in broadband solutions. We are targeting only one per cent of the total market share initially which is almost $150 million a year. That's why we have invited our partners to Bahrain to share expertise and views on the business opportunities, challenges and strategy."

He added: "Bahrain, being the financial centre and strategically located country, has a special place for any global technology companies like GPN. We will use Bahrain as a base country to reach the largest economies in the region like Saudi Arabia."

Lai said that 'security' would continue to be a main concern for the banks and financial institutions. "We have answer to this solution as our technology offers seamless solutions to the local, regional and global clients in telecom and financial sectors."

Opened in February this year GPN Bahrain is a joint venture between Green Packet Berhad, a Malaysian-based technology company; and Saudi Economic and Development Co., (SEDCO) , a Saudi-based based investment company.

Highlighting the salient features of packet technology he said: "As we move forward voice, video and data are coming together or what we call triple play work. This triple play concept or technology has totally revolutionised the internet protocol (IP). It means it is more cost effective way of communicating with anyone at anywhere by implementing the green packet network. With rapid changes in the technology, the IP world is moving towards a personal world. We believe that broadband should be portable, mobile and personal with a target to offer broadband to everyone."

"We believe through our technology any content should be able to transmit over any network, to any device to any place anytime. We feel this is a right time to take off from the Bahrain by introducing our cutting edge broadband solutions."

He added: "The first company in the region Bahrain-based Kalaam Telecom had unveiled fixed wireless broadband network in the Kingdom in partnership with Green Packet Networks. This is just a beginning of our service delivery in the market and the months and years to come will see a huge client base in Bahrain and across the region."

Green Packet Berhad is a leading global developer of Next Generation Mobile Broadband Network solutions, with sales offices in Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Taipei, Singapore, Sydney, Manila and Manama.

By Mehmood Rafique

© Bahrain Tribune 2007