Internet-access at speeds up to 15 times faster than an ordinary dial-up modem is now available to the business community of Bahrain, through Batelco's new Speednet service. Connection to the Internet, made over an ordinary phone line, is always on with no need for dialing and waiting.
The ADSL (Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line) technology, known as broadband, makes Batelco's Speednet possible. Batelco has structured its tariffing so that companies are able to tailor Speednet to suit their business needs. For
The Speednet business package includes a free ADSL modem and a free helpdesk. Speednet will be available at bandwidths ranging from 256Kbps to 512Kbps, with a variety of set-up options, and allows customers to talk on the phone and use the Internet at the same time through a single phone line.
About 70 percent of all Internet traffic originating in Bahrain involves accessing data based in the US. Even Arabic-content websites tend to be 'hosted' in the US. The cost to Batelco of that high-bandwidth Internet connection with the US and Europe, amounts to nearly 3,000 Bahraini dinars ($7957) per day, which presents a formidable business challenge in offering Internet-related products in Bahrain.
Another challenge in introducing ‘e-age' products and services to Bahrain is the relatively small market offered by a total population of just 670,000 in relation to the high cost of infrastructure, according to a company press release. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
