Bahrain TRA move to increase net speed, lower prices

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Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has approved BNET’s Reference Offer which, it says, will result in higher broadband speeds and lower prices.

This follows extensive discussions and consultations with industry stakeholders and BNET, Bahrain’s national broadband network that has been established to be the sole provider of fibre services in the kingdom.

By approving the BNET Reference Offer the TRA has approved doubling the speed of fibre entry packages at the same wholesale price as the current lower speed package.

BNET provides its broadband services to all retail internet service providers who then provide the broadband services to end-users. BNET can only offer its services on terms and prices that are defined in its Reference Offer which must be approved by the TRA.

The Reference Offer also includes price reductions up to 27%, giving internet service providers the ability to offer consumers new broadband services, said TRA.

In addition, a limited set of services that are not used by many users could be withdrawn after TRA's approval of a feasible implementation plan.

TRA’s General Director Philip Marnick stated: “We all need good quality broadband at affordable prices. Approving this reference offer will enable all of us to have better value fibre broadband services. But this is only delivered through vibrant and sustainable retail competition. To ensure this, we will also take measures to ensure consumers can always choose the broadband package that is best for them.”

Marnick added: “As our market evolves, we need to ensure that the services BNET provides to support other operators’ networks, including the mobile networks are appropriate. The TRA will undertake a review to ensure that BNET offers the appropriate mix of fiber-based products at prices that allow Bahrain to not only have world-class fiber-based services, but also to maintain world-leading mobile services at competitive retail prices.”