TRA consults on whether to license additional mobile operators in Bahrian and the possible options open

This consultation is part of the TRA Plan for 2005/2006, and comes after the exclusivity period for the two mobile operators in Bahrain expired last April (as per section 39 of the Telecommunications Law).

By means of this document, the TRA consults on the feasibility and advisability of issuing additional licenses in the mobile sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The TRA is faced with two main decisions: first, whether to issue one or more further licenses; and, second, whether such a license (or licenses) would be for a Mobile Network Operator (MNOs) or a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNOs) or both. MVNOs are operators who use the infrastructure of current mobile operators and buy services from them in order to sell them to customers.

The consultation reviews the current state of the mobile market in Bahrain and sets out the analytical framework within which the TRA will make its decisions. The possible impact of entry on prices and quality of service for the mobile sector, and the range of products that might be offered, are discussed in the consultation document.

Through this consultation the TRA seeks to consider both the costs and benefits of market entry, and believes that it would be appropriate to issue additional licenses if the benefits outweigh the costs.

As with all consultations, this document gives stakeholders and interested parties the opportunity to comment and provide their views before a decision is made, and aims to allow the TRA to further its understanding of the issues at stake.

The practical aspects related to granting additional licenses are also discussed in this consultation. Respondents are asked to provide their comments on issues such as the range of frequency spectrum that should be issued to any new mobile network operator taking into account that any possible licenses would be technology neutral, on whether number portability should be implemented, etc.

The General Director of the TRA, Mr. A. Andreas Avgousti, in releasing the consultation said: "The possibility of allowing additional mobile operators in Bahrain has always been a source of debate. We have always said that the TRA will consult publicly before making the final decision. The consultation issued today examines the issue at hand and the arguments for and against allowing additional mobile operators. In addition the consultation discusses the possible options for the way forward both in terms of infrastructure as well as virtual operators. Now, the next step is to seek the comments of stakeholders, interested parties, and the public at large. I would also like to stress that we expect respondents to provide evidence relating to their comments where possible. This would be of great help to us in making our final decision."

The comments period for this consultation ends on 3 August 2006. The consultation can be viewed via the TRA's website.