High-level representatives of the telecommunications regulatory authorities from 15 Arab countries, including heads and board members, will meet in Bahrain on 8 and 9 April 2008 for the plenary meeting of the Arab Regulators' Network (AREGNET). The meeting will be hosted by the current president of AREGNET, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the Kingdom of Bahrain (TRA).
On 8th April, prior to AREGNET's plenary, a meeting will be held between the members of AREGNET and high-level representatives of mobile operators in the Arab Region, representing 13 mobile companies, as well as the GSM Association. The aim of the meeting is to discuss the pan-Arab regulation of international mobile roaming charges as well as industry's proposals for self regulatory measures in this field.
During the plenary meeting, the Arab regulators are to agree on a recommendation on regulation of international mobile roaming tariffs for consideration at the Council of Arab Ministers of Telecommunications and Information Technology meeting in June 2008.
The AREGNET plenary will also discuss the papers, prepared by the AREGNET Working Groups, on the unified licensing regime, consumer protection framework, and benchmarking of market data. On 9th April, a workshop will be conducted to discuss how telecommunications services could be used to improve and protect the environment.
AREGNET's President and TRA's General Director Mr. Alan Horne said: "We are pleased to welcome our fellow Arab regulators here in Bahrain. It is a great honor for us to host the plenary meeting and report the achievements of AREGNET during the term of our presidency. The recommendations of the AREGNET Working Groups, to be discussed at the plenary, greatly contribute to align the regulatory approach across the region and to further develop the telecommunications sector in the Arab world, to benefit consumers as well as market players."
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About TRA
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) was established by Legislative Decree No. 48 of 2002 promulgating the Telecommunications Law. TRA is an independent body and its duties and powers include, among other things, protecting the interests of subscribers and users and promoting operators effective and fair competition among existing and new licensed. More information regarding TRA can be viewed at www.tra.org.bh
About AREGNET
The Arab Regulators' Network was established in April 2003 and comprises Regulators from 20 Arab countries. The main objectives of the Network are the exchange of experiences in the field of regulation of the telecommunications sector, and the coordination of views in order to accomplish harmonized approach to telecommunications regulation in the Arab region. The presidency of AREGNET is a one year term and rotates alphabetically among the member countries. Each presidency spans the period from one annual ordinary meeting to the next. The current president of the Network is the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Arab Regulators' Network has chosen the Algerian Authority for Post and Transportation to be the permanent secretary.
For more information please contact:
Dana Chehab
Director of Communications & Consumer Affairs
Tel: 17 520000
Mobile: 3971 0033
Fax: 17 532125
© Press Release 2008
