Broadband prices in Bahrain among lowest in Arab region

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MANAMA: Broadband prices in Bahrain are among the lowest in the GCC and Arab region according to a study by telecommunications watchdog.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has published the 2019 Telecommunications Retail Price Benchmarking Report in Arab countries. The report compares the telecommunications prices in the Arab countries with those in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

According to the results of the study, mobile prices in Bahrain decreased by 15 per cent between 2018 and 2019, in addition the telecommunications companies in Bahrain offer the lowest prices on the GCC and Arab levels, especially in the high usage baskets.

As a result of the decrease in mobile prices, mobile subscriptions with data services reached 78pc by the end of 2019, and mobile data usage increased by 74pc between 2017 and 2018.

“The study shows that fixed and mobile broadband prices in Bahrain are among the lowest in the GCC and Arab levels, whereas, fixed broadband prices in Bahrain are 19pc lower than the average prices in the GCC countries,” said the TRA report.

“These indicators confirm that the regulatory framework adopted by TRA and the projects it is undertaking to promote competition and implement government policies represented in the National Telecommunications Plan continue to bring more benefits to consumers,” it said.

The report also stated that since the issuance of the Fourth National Telecommunications Plan, the number of fixed wired broadband subscriptions have dramatically increased to 123,000 by the end of 2019, an increase of 71pc since the issuance of the plan in the middle of 2016.

According to the latest market data, the broadband penetration rate reached 157pc by the end of the third quarter of 2019, and Internet data usage increased by 185pc between 2015 and 2018.

“The competition also contributed to lower prices for fixed broadband services with high speeds, making them available to a high percentage of users,” said the report

“The latest indicators show that 92pc of all fixed broadband subscribers get 10MB/s and more, compared to only 36pc in 2015.

“As a result of the availability of Internet services to citizens and residents in Bahrain at competitive prices, Internet users in Bahrain reached 99pc,” it said.

The report also stated that according to the World Economic Forum’s 2019 Global Competitiveness Report, Bahrain is ranked fourth globally in Internet users.

These competitive prices contributed to achieving high levels of user satisfaction, as 85pc of broadband users and 82pc of mobile users are satisfied with their services, according to the latest telecommunications market survey in Bahrain.

“Promoting competition and encouraging investment in the telecommunications sector is ongoing and keeps pace with all economic developments and the latest global technologies in order to bring more benefits to users,” said TRA acting general director Shaikh Nasser bin Mohamed Al Khalifa.

“In this regard and after achieving Batelco separation and establishing the National Broadband Network, TRA is implementing a number of initiatives that will enable this network to provide advanced services allowing operators to provide various services at competitive prices.”

“With regards to mobile services, TRA has provided the required spectrum and granted sufficient frequency licences to provide 5G services, making Bahrain one of the first countries in the region to establish 5G networks. Through these initiatives, TRA seeks to achieve the government strategic goal to keep Bahrain at the forefront regionally and internationally and make it a regional hub for trade and ICT,” he said.

Bahrain’s Fourth National Telecommunications Plan, signed by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, makes clear Batelco’s responsibilities to ensure fair and equal access to the National Broadband Network through its new wholesale division.

It obliges Batelco to offer broadband services to its competitors on the same basis as its own retail unit “in accordance with the same time scales and pursuant to the same terms and conditions, including everything related to price, service levels, information about product development and launch, and utilisation of systems and processes.”

The plan also targets 100pc nationwide access to secure, affordable and ultra-fast broadband for all businesses, as well as 95pc of private households.

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