Bahrain TRA issues notice to Batelco and Viva over anti-competitive pricing

Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) announced the completion of investigations into complaints received from a group of licensed operators that Batelco and Viva had launched anti-competitive prices for mobile originated calls to certain international destinations that prevented a fair opportunity being provided to all and harmed competition.

The TRA issued separate notices on August 23, 2011 to both operators upon its investigation, which allege that the operators’ pricing constituted an abuse of dominance in the international mobile telecom market, and breached the conditions of competition provided for by the law.

The TRA said it would subsequently issue its final decision following consideration of Batelco and Viva’s responses on the notices.

“Batelco has been informed of this decision and is in the process of making a detailed submission to the TRA outlining reasons why we believe we acted fairly and consistent with the regulatory and competitive laws of the kingdom, commented Rashid Abdulla, CEO Batelco Bahrain. “We look forward to the opportunity to outline our case to the TRA and we are confident we will receive a fair hearing.”