Seef District, Kingdom of Bahrain - Wednesday, 18th February 2015: Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) Bahrain announces that it has published on its website a public consultation on Prepaid Telecommunications Services Registration Regulations on Thursday, the 12th of February 2015.

Director of the Authority's Cyber Security Directorate, Dr. Khalid Bin Daij Al Khalifa was quoted in stating that "In line with its continuous efforts to review and improve its current regulations and to protect consumers' interests, the TRA has taken steps to address the increase in civil and criminal cases involving prepaid SIM cards." Dr. Khalid further added that "Due to the manner in which the current registration and verification processes are being conducted, Prepaid Mobile subscribers have been found to have several prepaid SIM cards registered in their name without their consent or knowledge, which can pose serious legal or financial risks to them should any misuse with these numbers occur. The New Regulation is intended to address these concerns and to introduce several significant changes to the Existing Prepaid Telecommunications Services Registration Regulation."

The New Regulation requires the licensees to follow a more rigorous registration and verification process for new subscribers, as well as to fully update the registration details of all existing prepaid mobile phone subscribers to ensure the accuracy of information listed in the licensees' data base.

For more information, the full document is viewable on the Authority's website under consultations. Comments on the consultation may be received by email via CSD@tra.org.bh. The closing date for comments is February 26, 2015 at 4:00 PM.

About TRA
Since its establishment in 2002, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the Kingdom of Bahrain has been working with government, consumers, operators and investors to develop the country into the region's most modern communications hub and to facilitate the growth of the market. As an exemplary Regulator for the region, TRA Bahrain independently carries out its duties in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner. More information about TRA can be viewed at www.tra.org.bh.

For further information please contact talbinali@tra.org.bh or +973 17 520000

© Press Release 2015