TRA promotes state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure in new property developments

Bahrain has been experiencing rapid development in terms of new properties. These properties range from individual houses to high-rise commercial and residential buildings on both existing land and new islands.

TRA considers it important to provide clarity on how the regulatory framework will be applicable to the provision of telecommunications infrastructure and services to these new properties so as to ensure the supply of high speed competitive broadband access.

Such access is vital for developers to attract people to their new developments and realize their investments.

TRA's General Director Mr. Alan Horne has commented that:

"With our new Position Paper we would like to send a strong signal that residents of Bahrain shall have a right to enjoy benefits of competition in the telecommunications market and ability to choose their provider regardless where they live and work - in the traditional or new properties. Therefore TRA is determined to ensure that no new monopolies emerge in any part of Bahrain."

He went further to say: "It is however important for developers to understand that state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure will be an essential element for the success of their developments. Due to the uncertainly of the return on their investment Telecommunications operators are not necessarily willing to invest in the telecommunications infrastructure in such developments."

"Developers have to assume more active role in mitigating such risks and ensure that at least basic infrastructure in the form of ducts is in place for fast and effective deployment of telecommunications networks in their developments by any licensed operator. Such passive infrastructure can amount to around 60% of the total investment. Such actions by developers will not only improve the value and attractiveness of their property but also preserve the legal right of consumer choice and fair an effective competition."

The main elements of the proposed regulatory strategy are: (1) contribution of developers towards deployment of telecommunications infrastructure together with (2) an open access policy, ensuring competition and choice for consumers in new developments, as well as (3) continued application of the existing regulatory framework.