TRA consults on spectrum issues

Radio frequencies are the basic ingredient for the provision of telecommunications services, which do not require a physical connection to a wired network and are a key element of TRA's objective to promote competition and innovation, allowing the widest range of technologies and services to access the radio spectrum.

The TRA also intends to reduce its carbon footprint and extend its environmental awareness policy through a greater use of its web-site to publish documentation, which is essential to its regulatory role and is not specific to individual licensees.

The 2009 revised National Frequency Plan (NFP) has recently been approved by the HE Sh. Ahmed bin Ateyatullah Al-Khalifa, Minister responsible for Telecommunications. The NFP details the radio frequency bands available in the Kingdom for the various categories of radiocommunications services, as defined by the International Telecommunication Union, the Geneva based UN specialized telecommunications agency. This has now been published on the TRA web-site.

Furthermore, a report has been published on the TRA web-site concerning developments which have taken place since the 2006 radio spectrum policy document prepared by the Ministry of Transportation and the TRA.

The TRA is also combining the release of the NFP with a major spectrum management consultative initiative, which is designed to seek the views of interested parties concerning current and future requirements for radio frequency spectrum, as well as seeking comments on various aspects of its management. The aim is to enable innovative services that will deliver significant benefits to Bahraini industry, citizens and consumers.

For example, one of the questions posed relates to spectrum, known as the digital dividend, in the UHF frequency band, which is currently used for the delivery of TV channels using analogue technology. Signals transmitted in these bands can travel over large distances and carry a large amount of information.

These characteristics make the spectrum very suitable for delivering a wide range of new services, including:
• ultra-fast mobile broadband;
• mobile television;
• more digital television services, in standard or high definition.

To facilitate the decision making process and to provide the sector with appropriate information for the release of spectrum a number of pertinent questions have been prepared. Additional questions also address spectrum rights and policy, licensing issues, the migration of spectrum users and appropriate next steps.

The consultation closes on 14 February 2010. The NFP, Report, Spectrum Consultation Document and other supporting documentation can be found on TRA's Website.