Batelco, the Kingdom’s leading integrated telecommunications provider is on target with the rollout of its NGN (Next Generation Network) services. The Company is now in the final phase of its $57 million investment to complete the ambitious Batelco project to deliver automated Broadband access to all residences in the Kingdom, and make Bahrain the first country in the world with complete countrywide broadband.
The migration has already been completed in the Northern and Southern Governorate and a further 2 areas, Mahooz and Gudabiya are being migrated to the new services on 14th April and 30th April respectively, between the hours of 2am and 4am.
NGN services facilitate triple play (Voice, Data & Video) on a single line which traditionally only carried voice telephone services. The service will allow new customers to connect to Batelco Broadband Internet within one day, from a process that usually took two weeks prior to migration.
“Batelco’s NGN will deliver our promise to bring affordable broadband access to all of Bahrain’s households and enable an e-lifestyle for all residents sharing information, education and entertainment” said Batelco Group Board Secretary & Company spokesman Ahmed Al Janahi.
The project which will be completed by the end of Q3 this year will put Batelco customers among the best connected in the world.
“Batelco continues to invest millions annually in Bahrain’s infrastructure. Since 1981 the Company has invested $1.4 billion, to ensure residents can avail of world class communications services, and further improve Bahrain’s competitiveness by positioning the Kingdom as a natural choice for communications intensive companies to locate their regional headquarters,” concluded Al Janahi.
About Batelco
Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) is the leading integrated communications provider in the Kingdom of Bahrain and an emerging force among the regions key telecommunications players.
Batelco serves both the corporate and consumer markets in the most liberalised and competitive environment in the Middle East, and remains committed to delivering cutting-edge telecommunications to its customers in Bahrain and the MENA region. The Company’s management and staff are driven by an enthusiasm for delivering the best customer experience based on innovation, affordability and reliability of products and services.
Batelco’s specialised services cover the full spectrum of telecommunications solutions for residential and business customers and span a comprehensive range of mobile services, international roaming, high-speed Internet connections, satellite services, WiFi, MPLS IP-VPN network provisioning and management, Datacoms services over fixed, wireless and internet platforms, managed services, systems integration and enterprise solutions.
Batelco has invested US$1.4 billion in Bahrain’s telecom infrastructure over the past 26 years, including significant investment in Next Generation Networks infrastructure which has reinforced the Kingdom’s position as a leading communications hub. The Company’s shares are listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange with a total capitalization of approx US$ 3.2 billion as of February 2008.
With an ongoing strategy to grow overseas, the Batelco Group incorporates joint venture operations in Jordan, Kuwait, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
