TRA exchanges views with Hong Kong's regulator

The two regulators were attending an annual conference organised by the International Institute of Communications; (IIC) addressing the subject of regulation and convergence in media and communications.

Mr. Mohammed Al Amer, Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of Bahrain, in meeting Mrs. Marion Lai Chan Chi-Kuen, Director General of the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) in Hong Kong praised the work of OFTA and the achievement in creating one of the most competitive telecommunications environments giving consumers a choice of not only high speed fixed but also mobile communications services.

Mr. Alan Horne, the General Director of TRA, said:

"Hong Kong has achieved a highly connected society with numerous multi-fibre optical cables offering an extensive portfolio of business and residential communications services supporting a burgeoning modern economy. Further we have been particularly impressed by the tight controls over the highly concentrated use of the radio spectrum which allows for efficient provision of a wide number of mobile, broadcast and wireless services."

With the growth in higher speed broadband communications and internet access comes the ability for consumers to receive TV, films as well as internet access and voice services over the same communications pipe. This convergence of services brings about new challenges for the authorities. In designing regulations for the converged world, it is important to balance freedom of expression and Consumer Protection, as well as competition and broadband infrastructure development.

Talks are in progress for TRA Bahrain to host next year's annual regional conference of IIC which will debate the ways to better understand how to move forward in the face of convergence of technology and the consequent need to consider the convergence of Regulations.