Internet users will now be able to access domain names across the entire region even if all cable connections to the Internet go down in Bahrain.

Telecommunications company 2Connect has teamed up with not-for-profit Swedish Internet organisation Netnod to offer all Internet service providers (ISP) free access to an i-root server which will allow users to access domain names across the region even if the main Internet cable connections are damaged.

This is the first DNS root server in Bahrain, which will contribute to the reliability and redundancy in DNS services to Internet users in Bahrain and surrounding regions.

2Connect founder and managing director Fahad Al Shirawi said he believed the addition of the i.root-servers.net mirror strengthens 2Connect's commitment to the telecommunications industry in Bahrain, and the Internet in general.

'2Connect has a philosophy of an open Internet, so we naturally support organisations like Netnod, and ISPs who choose to enter into neutral peering arrangements,' he said.

'I believe that if you want to live in this country and do business, then you have a responsibility to give things back.

'We are providing this service free of charge to everyone because we are doing this so our country can advance, get better and get to where it needs to go.

'The success of the Economic Vision 2030 depends on every member of society doing there bit and we are playing our part by bringing this service to Bahrain,' he said.

'Establishing a root server in Bahrain makes this country part of the global Internet's critical infrastructure. If anything, our important dot on the world map has just become that much more important,' he added.

The operation is already up and running and free to all ISPs in Bahrain.

'We are very pleased to deploy i.root-server instance in Bahrain,' said Netnod chief executive officer Kurt-Erik Lindqvist.

'This root server will not only benefit the Bahrain Internet community, but also Internet communities in the surrounding region, in terms of faster domain resolution and increased resilience within the region.

'Bahrain is a well-situated location for a root server with good connections to the rest of the Middle East.

'This installation is part of Netnod's efforts to continuously increase the i.root-servers.net footprint and thereby increase the performance and robustness of the root server system worldwide, as well as helping infrastructure security and resilience in Bahrain and the region,' he added.

'Bahrain has played a pioneering role in the development of the information technology and telecommunications industry in the Gulf and today boasts of one of the most dynamic and deregulated telecom markets in the region,' said Economic Development Board chief executive Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa.

'The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has played a key role in the deregulation of the industry in Bahrain thereby creating opportunities for more players to thrive and compete, more employment opportunities for Bahrainis as well as greater technological innovation and product diversification all for the benefit of consumers.

'We encourage companies to continue to innovate and invest in the further development of telecommunications infrastructure and initiatives so that businesses and the Bahraini citizens at home can experience world class telecommunication services in Bahrain,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service