Telecommunications group 2Connect has pledged to work closely with Bahrain's  Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) after a decision to suspend its operating licence was rescinded.

'This is a new 2Connect and we will work closely with the TRA to develop new services for Bahrain particularly in the field of fibre optic connections,' said new chief executive officer Anton Hofland.

Hofland, a former head of IT at Arcapita Bank, had been running his 20204sight consultancy before his appointment at 2Connect last week.

'There is a lot of development going on in Bahrain and that will give us a chance to grow.

'In the past few weeks our customers have stuck with us with great loyalty and we will return that loyalty by continuing to offer new innovative services.

'We are looking to provide better services through fibre optics which will offer our financial and corporate clients an unlimited bandwidth.

'We already have fibre optic connections in the ground in the Diplomatic Area and we are seeking to expand that and work with others committed to developing fibre optic connections for Bahrain,' he said.

'We currently have around 300 customers who are financial institutions and corporates.

'We are not in the retail market and will concentrate on medium and large sized organisations.

'2Connect has the fastest Internet access in Bahrain and as we look forward we see tremendous opportunities both here and across the region,' he added.

'The TRA in Bahrain has put in place the kind of regulatory framework that fosters diversity in the industry and really puts the kingdom on the map as a strategic centre for the entire region.

'We have complied with all the TRA regulations and provided them with evidence and they now have no issues with our operations,' he said.

He added that former company managing director Fahad Al Shirawi was on extended leave.-TradeArabia News Service