Saudi Telecommunications Company is the successful bidder for the 3rd mobile licence in Bahrain

This announcement was made at the opening of STC's financial bid which took place at the Ritz Carleton Hotel today in the presence of TRA's Chairman Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Al Amer, Sheik Hamed Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and Mr. Tariq Al Safar TRA Board Members, Mr. Alan Horne General Director, TRA Management Team, representatives of STC's senior management team, media representatives, and other invited guests.

The commitments made by STC as part of their bid include the construction of a robust high capacity advanced mobile network with the primary design constraint being focused on quality services and speed to market. STC's bid also contained a corporate social responsibility obligation of 1% of revenue which will be used to foster and support amongst other things the development of e-health, e-learning and sports facilities within the Kingdom. In addition STC has included the establishment of a US$300m venture capital fund in Bahrain which will focus on the development of ICT within the kingdom.

TRA's Chairman Mr. Moahammed Ahmed Al Amer said: "No doubt that STC is a strong player in the region who can bring real benefits to consumers and the economy of the Kingdom. The entry of 3rd mobile operator is fully consistent with the duty of TRA to promote further competition which encapsulated in the telecommunication law and the 2nd national telecommunications plan".

General Director Mr. Alan Horne said: "We will be awarding the License to STC once they complete the registration of the company with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in accordance with the rules of the auction and after completion of the post-evaluation obligations. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the parties involved in this process beginning with TRA team and the consultants from TMG who played an important role in ensuring the auction process adhered to international best practices".

Mr. Horne went further to say: "I would like to congratulate STC on their professional submission, and remind them that consumers in Bahrain are expecting to see and use new and innovative mobile services that meet their evolving needs as well as good quality basic services at best prices".