Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has been undertaking a comprehensive strategic market review (SMR) of the telecommunications sector in Bahrain throughout the second half of this year.

The draft report of the SMR has been released for public review, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The purpose of the SMR is to review how competition has developed across the telecommunications sector in Bahrain with a view to ensuring that the regulatory framework is adapted to reflect such developments.

"The SMR draft report sets out TRA's proposed directions on what should be done to promote an even more efficient and dynamic telecoms market," TRA's general director Mohammed Bubashait said.

"Through the outcomes of the SMR, Bahrain will be taking significant steps towards ensuring that market regulation is in sync with the recent market and technological developments.

"The TRA continues to be a highly progressive market regulator, taking pioneering steps to foster efficient market outcomes.

"We are now keen to consult the industry and other stakeholders to hear their views on TRA's proposed way forward," he added.

The SMR draft report should be seen in light of TRA's overall objective to foster an efficient telecommunications sector for the benefit of all users in the kingdom.

The SMR confirms that significant competition has developed in Bahrain in the last few years, notably for broadband and mobile services.

Consumers in Bahrain have today, in general, a wide range of choices for telecommunications services.

The development of effective competition in particular markets has led to substantial price reductions and new service innovations for consumers and businesses in Bahrain.

"A key part of the SMR is the competitive assessment of all so-called ex-ante regulated markets," TRA market and competition director Mohammed Al Binali said.

"Ex-ante regulation refers to remedies and obligations which are imposed upon operators with dominant positions in the markets.

"As effective competition develops, it is critical for any regulator to ensure that the market interventions in place remain relevant and proportionate to the market situation.

"Ex-ante regulation should, as a principle, only be introduced or retained if it is needed to correct failures caused by insufficient competition in the market," he added.

In the SMR draft report, TRA has identified a number of markets which are likely to be susceptible to ex-ante regulation going forward.

Importantly, as competition develops, TRA also proposes to remove some currently regulated retail markets from ex-ante regulatory scrutiny.

The public consultation period will run until the end of January next year.

Following the end of the period, TRA will take into account stakeholders' views and expects to release the final report on the SMR in the second quarter of 2015. - TradeArabia News Service