TRA announces 2007 achievements and presents its annual report

In his opening speech, TRA's Chairman Mr. Mohammed Al Amer said:

"TRA plays a positive and important role in supporting the national economy by encouraging and fostering competition in a regulated market. The work of TRA has directly supported inward investments and resulted in providing the benefits of choice in services and prices to consumers in the Kingdom of Bahrain."

TRA's General Director Mr. Alan Horne presented the achievements of TRA during 2007, the latest news on the projects TRA is working on, and how Bahrain telecommunications market compare with other countries in the region.

Mr. Horne said: "2007 has been a fascinating year and one in which TRA has laid firm foundations for the future, by establishing fair and effective competition, giving customers more choices, and value-for-money. But we still have a long way to go to achieve competition in every market. We witnessed last year a 13% growth in sector revenues, a 23% increase in mobile subscribers, an impressive 90% increase in Broadband subscribers, a 5% increase in fixed line subscribers, and a good 23% increase in employment in the telecommunications sector".

Mr. Horne went on to say: "together with the licensed operators, we have a significant responsibility to support the growth of Bahrain's economy through the provisioning of competitive telecommunications services that are attractive to Businesses and residential consumers. To achieve this, Batelco is required to continue to provide diverse services at internationally competitive prices to both its retail and wholesale customers, at the same time, other licensed operators should not only invest in winning new customers but also maintaining them by being creative in offering competitive service option and in handling their customers with care".