Bahrain Broadband is the successful bidder for the GSM 1800 Guard Band Frequency Licence with a bid of BD50,000 ($132,552).

When combined with their investment in trialling the technology, licence application fees and network investment, this makes an initial commitment for the first phase of development of the service in the order of BD2.4 million.

This was announced at the opening of Bahrain Broadband financial bid at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the presence of representatives from Bahrain Broadband and the media.

'The use of the GSM Guard Band frequencies will allow Bahrain Broadband to provide important niche services to companies and government entities complimenting the data access services of the existing mobile services and WiMAX licensed operators,' said TRA general director Alan Horne.

'TRA is satisfied that Bahrain Broadband has demonstrated compliance with the rules of the auction process and TRA's standard licensing procedures,' said TRA director of technical operations Mohammed Mahmood.

'We will be awarding the service and frequency licences to Bahrain Broadband as soon as they update the company registration with the Ministry of Commerce to include the new licence activities.'-TradeArabia News Service