Zain Bahrain wins Telecoms Technology Investment of the Year Award

The award recognizes an operator that has not only invested a substantial sum in technology but also ensured that its investment will deliver a return for both the organisation and its customers.

Unveiled in Bahrain in October, LTE technology allows faster data downloads and an enhanced customer experience, thanks to its transition to an all-IP, flat network through the introduction of Internet High Speed Packet Access (I-HSPA). Implemented by Nokia Siemens Networks, it will boost Zain's state-of-the-art services through improved voice, data and multimedia services.

The judging panel, made up of an international telecom professionals and regional industry peers, said that "Zain Bahrain uses the latest technology to ensure its customers have access to the best available mobile services. As we have said in previous year's, Zain Bahrain has been consistent in its innovation and capacity to harness cutting-edge telecommunications technology in ways that are unique, customer-friendly and which make a significant difference to customer lifestyle for the better. This year has shown that this commitment is rock solid".

In practical terms, Zain Bahrain customers have found an improvement in accessing the internet with speeds of up to 14 Mbps initially in the first stage with I-HSPA, and even higher speeds in the second stage with LTE. There will also be a dramatic improvement in coverage throughout the Kingdom, where ongoing infrastructure development necessitates parallel development of the mobile network. Additionally with Bahrain being part of Zain's 'One Network", all travelling inbound Zain customers will also benefit from this improved technology and faster access speeds without any additional roaming fees.

"This award is pleasing on many fronts," declared Dr Saad Al Barrak, CEO of Zain Group. "It is clear recognition that we can create a world class network, one that, not only can we roll out across all the Zain Group's 23 operations across the Middle East and Africa, but which can set the standard for industry excellence."

"Zain Bahrain adopted LTE because it needed a scalable and versatile platform planning for and pre-empting customers' needs," said Zain Bahrain General Manager, Mohammed Zainalabedin. "LTE will increase Zain Bahrain's competitiveness, enhance operations and processes and lead to a faster and higher return on investment, all translating into products and services that make a qualitative difference to customers' lives".

The 4th annual CommsMEA Awards 2009 seek to recognize and reward telecommunications industry professionals and operators that have shown outstanding performance and results in key market segments of the telecommunications industry in the Middle East and Africa.