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Batelco Directory Enquiries charges for fixed line calls

Directory Enquiry (DQ) Charging was introduced for calls made from mobile phones in August 2007. As part of Batelco's social commitment to the community, a fixed amount from each call is allocated and donated to charity.

As a result of the ongoing deregulation of the Bahraini market Batelco's Directory Enquiries (numbers 181 and 188) via mobile phones and fixed lines has become a chargeable value-added service. This is consistent with other telecommunications service providers operating in competitive markets.

Following the TRA's (Telecommunications Regulatory Authority) approval of the charging rate, from July 15th 2008, all calls made from fixed lines to Batelco's Directory Enquiries will now be charged. As per the mobile calls, a fixed amount from each call will be allocated and donated to charity. Some of the charities that have recently benefitted from Batelco Donations are Hope Institute for Special Education and Shaikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa Cardiac Centre.

"As a community-minded organisation that supports many of the Kingdom's worthwhile causes, special consideration is being given to special needs customers, including those who are sight impaired, and also to low income customers,"


said Batelco Board Secretary and Company Spokesman Ahmed Al Janahi.

Any customer who is registered with Batelco as having special needs or low income will be given 10 free DQ calls in each billing cycle. The registration for this is done by ID card validation or a letter issued by the Ministry of Social Development.

"We have established that the average number of calls a person makes to Directory Enquiries is two per month, so we are offering 10 free calls to those who cannot avail of the non-voice alternative DQ services and those with low incomes," said Mr. Al Janahi.

Furthermore, Batelco would like to remind the public that Batelco's free online directory is available and hard copies of Batelco Telephone Directory are distributed free of charge to households and businesses throughout the Kingdom annually.

In order to give fixed line customers plenty of time to become familiar with the new charge, a pre-recorded message will be placed to remind users that their call to 181 or 188 will be charged.
 
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Notes and Media Contacts »

About Batelco:
Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) is the leading integrated communications' provider in the Kingdom of Bahrain and a significant force among the regions key telecommunications players.

Batelco serves both the corporate and consumer markets in the most liberalised and competitive environment in the Middle East, and remains committed to delivering cutting-edge telecommunications to its customers in Bahrain and the MENA region. The Company's management and staff are driven by an enthusiasm for delivering the best customer experience based on innovation, affordability and reliability of products and services.

Batelco offers complete, end-to-end telecommunications solutions for its residential, business and government customers.

The comprehensive solutions portfolio covers mobile services, international roaming, Broadband Internet, satellite services, WiFi, and MPLS IP-VPN based network services utilising our Next Generation all IP Network providing Datacoms services over fixed and wireless platforms in addition to managed services including systems integration and management.

Batelco has invested $1.4bn in Bahrain's telecom infrastructure since 1981, including significant investment in NGN (Next Generation Networks) infrastructure which has reinforced the Kingdom's position as a leading communications hub. The Company's shares are listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange with a total capitalisation of approx $3.1bn as of June 2008.

With an ongoing strategy to grow overseas, the Batelco Group incorporates joint venture operations in Jordan, Kuwait, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

For further information, please contact:
Ahmed Al Janahi
Batelco Group Board Secretary & Company Spokesman
TEL: +973 1788 4337

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