TRA aims to encourage sharing of telecom masts and associated facilities

The sharing of telecommunications masts and associated facilities should assist in the development of efficient investment in wireless infrastructure, reduce the cost of operating wireless networks that should in turn be passed on to consumers in the form of lower service charges, new services and better quality, and encourage more environmentally friendly practices by minimizing the requirement to construct more towers and masts than is actually required.

TRA's General Director Mr. Alan Horne said:

"TRA wish to send a strong message to all network operators that they must seek to share masts. Such sharing will not only cut operating costs but will contribute to relieving public and environmental concerns over the multiplication of masts and towers."

This Regulation intends to oblige any Licensee who owns, leases or manages wireless telecommunications network facilities to negotiate and enter into a sharing agreement, upon request of other licensed operators.

TRA's Telecommunications Access Network Manager Mr. Adel Al-Showaikh said: "We strongly encourage licensed operators to respond to this consultation to ensure the Regulation is practical and minimise issues in its implementation".

More information regarding the draft regulation can be viewed on TRA's website (www.tra.org.bh). The Deadline for submitting responses to this consultation document is 4:00 pm on 8 September 2008.