Mena Telecom's broadband subscriber base has exceeded 33,000 after only one year of WiMAX service in Bahrain.

Mena Telecom, an investment subsidiary of KFH-Bahrain, is the first company in the world to launch a nationwide WiMAX using WiMAX 802.16e technology, said its top official.

'It has increased coverage and capacity by an additional 50 per cent to accommodate the ever-increasing number of subscribers,' said Mena Telecom chairman and Kuwait Finance House-Bahrain managing director and CEO Abdulhakeem Alkhayyat.

'We have witnessed a significant jump in the number of subscribers which clearly indicates the strong performance of our operations in Bahrain. Mena Telecom has exceeded all forecasts and achieved in one year what was anticipated in three,' he noted.

The statement follows the announcement that Mena Telecom has won the 2009 Award for the best Internet service provider in the Middle East and Africa.

The prestigious CommsMEA ISP of the Year award recognises the Internet service provider that has driven Internet penetration rates and its own subscriber base by providing excellent connectivity and innovative packages to attract users.

'Mena Telecom is carefully watching and observing the needs of its customer base, which grows day by day, and as such, we have upgraded the capacity on our network by 50 per cent during this year to maintain current customer experiences,' Alkhayyat said.

'Also, in anticipation of the needs of coming customers, Mena Telecom is making further expansions to its network way ahead of schedule,' he added.

In addition to current expansions, Mena Telecom has also increased the available speeds in all areas and has made further investments to maintain that the network never reaches capacity.

It has also enhanced its business/enterprise portfolio to provide the latest technology offerings and solutions. 'We live in a fast paced and dynamic world,' said Mena Telecom vice-chairman and managing director Abdul Razak Jawahery.

'People want broadband service and want it today. WiMAX wireless broadband can deliver that and more, with full mobility,' he added.

The company has introduced packages for both home and business users with speeds of up to 15Mb combined with benefits that surpass all other existing Internet and telephony providers.

Mena Telecom's packages offer customers the opportunity to choose monthly plans tailored to suit every need, with the freedom to switch plans at anytime while enjoying continuous high-speed wireless access that follows you anywhere in the kingdom.

It has recently expanded the number of its outlets to cover the Bahrain World Trade Centre, Bahrain Financial Harbour, GOSI Complex, Country Mall, Budaiya, Muharraq, Isa Town and KFH Automall in Sitra with more on the way.-TradeArabia News Service