A crucial meeting to discuss the future of Bahrain's telecommunications sector was held yesterday (May 16).

Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Kamal Ahmed led discussions on projects to develop the kingdom's telecommunications infrastructure in a meeting with Batelco's executive team, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

It was headed by Batelco chairman Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and attended by Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) director-general Mohamed Hamad Bubashait, Batelco's acting chief executive and representatives from the ministry and TRA.

Ahmed stressed the need to ensure that Bahrain continued to develop its telecommunications, information and communications technologies (ICT) infrastructure and services to meet the future needs and demands of consumers and businesses in the kingdom.

'Increasingly, on a global scale, the primary obstacle for countries to achieve their potential and develop into a digital society is the capability of the telecommunication networks infrastructure. Regardless of type '“ fixed or mobile '“ all telecommunications services will be reliant on the underlying telecommunication networks infrastructure.

'Evolving this infrastructure to the level required for the development of Bahrain's digital society should be our first priority, with the support and involvement of all relevant stakeholders, as it will be an enabler for innovation and growth across all sectors of the economy,' Ahmed said.

Participants also reaffirmed their commitment to driving the growth of the kingdom's telecommunications/ICT sector.

Furthermore, the meeting explored ways to promote the development of the telecom industry and the construction of an ultra-fast broadband network to address constant and increasing consumer demand for high-quality service experience and continuous ICT development.

Among the possible strategies and options discussed was the evolution of the kingdom's existing telecommunication networks infrastructure, including the national broadband network proposed in the kingdom's third national telecom plan.

Participants also stressed the need for the telecommunication networks infrastructure to be developed to the level of the highest global standards, while maintaining the kingdom's commitment to a transparent and competitive telecommunications/ICT market.

'Batelco has played a key role in providing infrastructure for telecommunications services across the kingdom which the government can capitalise on as it implements its strategies to further develop the national infrastructure for new generation broadband services,' Ahmed said.

'We are confident of Batelco's continued support and co-operation in the development of the next stage of the kingdom's telecommunications infrastructure evolution.

'Although Bahrain has consistently proven to be a regional leader in the telecommunications/ICT sector, it still has the potential to reach even higher.

'It is our collective responsibility to ensure that Bahrain not only meets, but also exceeds, all possible international standards and best practices in the telecommunications/ICT sector for the benefit of all consumers, businesses and stakeholders in by evolving the telecommunication networks infrastructure to allow for the development of the kingdom's digital society.' – TradeArabia News Service