Bahrain's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has made part of the C-Band spectrum available for 5G private networks. The spectrum will be made available in the 3.8 to 4.2GHz band.
This move, claims the authority, places Bahrain at the forefront of GCC countries in enabling both private and public sectors to benefit from the latest technologies.
By being the first country in the GCC to lead this initiative, TRA says, the move will further cement the Kingdom’s reputation for leadership in the digital market. It has already achieved 100% 5G commercial network coverage.
In making the spectrum available, the TRA says it will ensure maximum flexibility while protecting existing systems and optimizing both the short and long-term use of the spectrum.
Licenses will be available to businesses, government users and licensed operators, allowing them to determine the best ways of utilizing wireless technologies to support their digitization plans. The TRA will also launch a programme to ensure that users can reap the benefits of wireless technologies while incorporating them into the digitization of their operations.
The move is in line with the TRA’s commitment to realizing the ambitious goals outlined in its Workplan, a public consultation document that outlines policies for telecommunications in Bahrain over the 2022-23 period.
As TRA General Director Philip Marnick says: "The Kingdom of Bahrain remains one of the most well-connected places globally. Not only does 5G technology enable better mobile broadband for consumers, it also supports industrial applications."
This point will not be lost on local operators, given that one of the major revenue-earning opportunities 5G may offer them in particular is to support private network services.
