TRA to wait for results of its strategic review before coming to a decision on whether to grant a third license for mobile telecommunications

This announcement comes after TRA has reviewed the responses to the relevant consultation that was issued last July. In the consultation document TRA considered two related choices. Firstly whether to grant one or more additional mobile license(s) or not, and secondly whether any such licenses would be for mobile network operators or mobile virtual network operators.

TRA received nine responses to this document from both local and international service providers and suppliers. It is worth noting that TRA did not receive any responses from consumers or business users. The report on the responses received and the announcement made today can be viewed via TRA's website www.tra.org.bh.

TRA has completed its review and analysis of the responses received, but Alan Horne, the General Director stated that "it is evident that the issue requires additional information, such as consumer and business views on whether or not to license additional mobile service providers. TRA intends to obtain this feedback via the survey related to the strategic review of the market. This survey commenced last week. Meanwhile TRA welcomes interested parties to submit their proposals as to the forms commercial agreements might take for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO)"

The announcement issued today confirms that, in accordance with the existing mobile licenses, the two licensed mobile operators in the Kingdom of Bahrain can enter into agreements with third parties for the provision of mobile services through those third parties in the Kingdom of Bahrain, after obtaining the written approval of such agreements from TRA.