MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain) WiMAX launch imminent

The launch will make the company the first telecoms provider in the Gulf to offer customers full nationwide wireless high-speed broadband internet. The innovative telecoms provider is rapidly bringing to fruition plans made possible by the award provided by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), one of two National Fixed Wireless licences issued earlier this year. WiMAX will deliver full telecommunication services for customers - including fixed and nomadic telephone and Internet services - replacing the reliance on traditional wired technology with a new era in completely wireless telecommunications.

WiMAX provides wireless data over long distances in a variety of different ways. It uses a point-to-point link to utilize its full mobile cellular type access. In practical terms, this enables customers, for example, to browse the Internet on a laptop computer or other internet-enabled mobile device without a wired connection. WiMAX also allows the delivery of what is often referred to as the 'last mile' wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and ADSL, without the long waiting time for underground cables to be laid. Nomadic service allows customers to utilize the service anywhere within the WiMAX network coverage area. (For example, the customer can easily take the service and the telephone number with them when shifting house or office.)

Commenting on the imminent launch, MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain)'s Chief Operating Officer, Dr Ahmed Alshatti, said,

'WiMAX will empower MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain) to fulfill all the telecommunication needs of customers, which will greatly enhance the 'on the move' experience and the service delivery time, making it ever easier to stay connected anywhere in the Kingdom.'

'We were the first in Bahrain to offer a 3G service to customers and our 3.5G service is already enabling even faster mobile connection to the web and corporate email services. Our WiMax service will offer a superior alternative to standard broadband connectivity. Now WiMAX's cutting-edge wireless broadband technology is gaining wide acceptance and acclaim internationally, with implementations already executed or in progress in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

'The WiMAX service is instrumental in our aim to offer both business and residential customers the capability to work and play whenever and wherever they wish. This is fast becoming a prerequisite of our modern lifestyles.

'MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain) is committed to providing the finest technology and WiMAX will take pride of place among our already strong and innovative suite of services. We are proud to be the first operator within the MTC Group to launch WiMAX, confirming MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain)'s place as a technology hub within our larger organization,' added Dr Alshatti.

The cost of these services will be very competitive with the costs offered by other telecom and internet providers in Bahrain. The added value for the customer will be nomadic operation - eliminating the need for a fixed line to subscribe to high-speed internet service - and short installation time as compared to wireline due to wireless technology. All that will be backed up by MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain)'s 24-hour customer care center offering an immediate response to all enquiries.

With the quick pace of technological change in the 21st century, MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain) is showing itself to be a pacesetter in enabling customers to benefit from those technologies with the greatest potential to supply on-demand sophisticated communication solutions.