14 May 2008
Bahrain Telecommunications Company is open to all businesses and entities which may need service by utilising Batelco channels, a top official at the company said. Company CEO Peter Kaliaropoulos, referring to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority's decision to slap the company with a BD100,000 fine for not providing service to 2Connect, said that the company was busy in its NGN initiative and could not focus on legacy services which were requested by the new firm.
However, he said, Batelco had paid the fine and also provided connection to 32 circuits in line with company's compliance with the TRA order. The company CEO said the company had already filed a case seeking arbitration against the authority's decision and was waiting for the decision. Kaliaropoulos also clarified that Batelco had not received any claims or damages from 2Connect with regard to failure to providing a service as per the agreement. "We are not aware of any damage claim, if at all, made by the new firm as we do not owe anything to anyone," he added. TRA said: "Batelco has met on time all requirements of authority order No. 1, issued last March 30 by providing all outstanding orders placed by 2Connect for leased-line services and paying the fine. We have also satisfied similar orders of other alternative operators." The authority's general director, Alan Horne, said: "I would like to praise the company for a constructive approach in taking the necessary actions not only to follow the details of our order and meet their obligations by providing leased-line services to the new firm but also in providing leased lines to other operators.
"This reflects Batelco's understanding to its obligations to work with other licenced operators in a collaborative manner for the benefit of Bahrain and consumers."
Bahrain Telecommunications Company is open to all businesses and entities which may need service by utilising Batelco channels, a top official at the company said. Company CEO Peter Kaliaropoulos, referring to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority's decision to slap the company with a BD100,000 fine for not providing service to 2Connect, said that the company was busy in its NGN initiative and could not focus on legacy services which were requested by the new firm.
However, he said, Batelco had paid the fine and also provided connection to 32 circuits in line with company's compliance with the TRA order. The company CEO said the company had already filed a case seeking arbitration against the authority's decision and was waiting for the decision. Kaliaropoulos also clarified that Batelco had not received any claims or damages from 2Connect with regard to failure to providing a service as per the agreement. "We are not aware of any damage claim, if at all, made by the new firm as we do not owe anything to anyone," he added. TRA said: "Batelco has met on time all requirements of authority order No. 1, issued last March 30 by providing all outstanding orders placed by 2Connect for leased-line services and paying the fine. We have also satisfied similar orders of other alternative operators." The authority's general director, Alan Horne, said: "I would like to praise the company for a constructive approach in taking the necessary actions not only to follow the details of our order and meet their obligations by providing leased-line services to the new firm but also in providing leased lines to other operators.
"This reflects Batelco's understanding to its obligations to work with other licenced operators in a collaborative manner for the benefit of Bahrain and consumers."
© Bahrain Tribune 2008
