Three telecom operators — Batelco, Zain and Viva – in Bahrain have received spectrum to run Long Term Evolution (LTE) services, said Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).
TRA chairman Mohammed Al Amer handed over new frequency licences to the CEOs of Batelco, Zain and Viva.
The 4G licensees will use frequencies available in the 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2100MHz bands to promote current technologies and the provision of LTE services in the kingdom.
Menatelecom has announced its intention to implement LTE national fixed wireless services using its currently licensed radio frequencies.
To facilitate Menatelecom’s launch of LTE, TRA provided Menatelecom with the necessary code for network management, authentication and other personalised services. This should enable Menatelecom to increase its spectrum utilization efficiency to deliver higher capacity products to its customers.
“TRA believes that the introduction of technologies such as LTE into the market will encourage investor confidence in the country’s telecommunications infrastructure, which in turn is good for the citizen, good for the consumer and good for the kingdom,” said TRA chairman Mohammed Al Amer.