Bahrain's TRA discusses Batelco separation plan

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MANAMA: A key meeting was held to discuss latest developments in telecom firm Batelco’s separation project.

It was the latest in a series of over 70 meetings and eight public consultations, which the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has held with the industry in order to ensure the successful implementation of the fourth National Telecommunications Plan, including splitting up Batelco into two separate e entities, a move designed to end its broadband monopoly.

“The TRA considers the separation process as fundamental to the new industry structure, which will result in the establishment of a new economic regulatory framework in line with the government’s policy directions under the fourth National Telecommunications Plan,” said TRA in a statement issued yesterday.

“Ultimately, the new framework should result in enhanced services for consumers, unprecedented broadband speeds and state-of-the-art suite of services to support the business sector.

“The TRA is confident that its work will contribute to Bahrain becoming the strategic investment destination of choice and a regional centre for information technology and digital communications.”

The two separate divisions will include one responsible for Batelco’s retail business and a new entity charged with ensuring equal access to Bahrain’s broadband infrastructure – including fibre optics network.

Batelco’s separation effectively ends its control of the nation’s fibre optics network, since its rivals will be able to offer the same service to their customers on an equal basis, creating a more competitive environment.

It has been instigated to ensure fair competition in the telecom sector, in which Batelco was the only player until 2003.

The TRA says the process must involve the complete transfer of staff and assets to the new entity.

One of the goals of the meeting was to also assess readiness to support the launch of 5G services.

The GDN reported earlier this week that Batelco signed with Ericsson to commercially deploy 5G network across the kingdom, which will happen in phases in key locations.

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