Bahrain operators obliged to share networks under draft regulation

Telecoms licensees in Bahrain that own, lease or manage wireless telecoms network facilities will be obliged to negotiate and enter into sharing agreements with other licensed operators, if a draft regulation from the TRA is approved.

Bahrain’s telecoms industry is invited to respond to the draft regulation by September 8, 2008.

Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) issued a public draft regulation today on wireless telecommunications network facility sharing.

TRA’s general director Alan Horne said the authority intends to send a strong message to all network operators that they must seek to share masts.

“Such sharing will not only cut operating costs but will contribute to relieving public and environmental concerns over the multiplication of masts and towers,” Horne commented.

The regulator would like to see the sharing of telecommunications masts and associated facilities assist in the development of efficient investment in wireless infrastructure and reduce the cost of operating wireless networks.

The draft regulation can be viewed on the regulator’s website – www.tra.org.bh – with the deadline for submitting responses to the document at 4pm on September 8, 2008.