One valid bid for GSM 1800 Guard Band Licence Auction

The use of these frequencies will allow important niche services to be deployed which require wireless connection e.g. home delivery services, telemetry services for fleet vehicles, public utilities and wireless security.

Such user applications can be satisfied by the use of innovative IP based technologies.

Of the four registered parties, one did not submit a bid; two joined to form a consortium to bid, and the fourth bid in its own right.

During the initial screening of the two received bids, it was found that the bid submitted by the consortium failed to comply with the submission requirements as specified within the Invitation to Tender. Consequently, TRA has disqualified this bid.

TRA will only evaluate the technical and commercial aspect of the bid received from Bahrain Broadband Company. Once TRA is satisfied that this bid is compliant with the licensing requirements of the Telecommunications Law, with respect to the sustainability of the proposed services, TRA plans to open the financial bid in the week of 21 December 2008 at TRA offices, with the presence of the bidder's representative and the media.

Mr Alan Horne, TRA's General Director stated "the rejection of the Bid for non-compliance reasons illustrates the importance to abide by the rules stated in the invitation to tender, and should provide a salutary lesson for any company responding to Invitation to Tender in the future. TRA trust that the prospective bidders for the 3rd Mobile tender ensure that their bids are compliant with the stated submission rules for that process".