Bahrain aims to be ‘Gulf’s leading technology test-bed’

The launch of 5G also reaffirms the Kingdom’s leading role in 5G networks and the implementation of cutting-edge technology and promoting innovation, said Transportation and Telecommunication Minister Kamal Ahmed yesterday. This came as the minister announced that preparations for the rollout of 5G networks in the Kingdom are complete, anticipating that the Kingdom would be one of the first countries globally to provide commercial 5G services to consumers by June 2019, pending availability of consumer handsets.

The minister said that having completed all the necessary regulatory work, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is scheduled to allocate licensing and spectrum soon. Mobile operators in the Kingdom have already begun rolling out the necessary network infrastructure, he added.

“This project comes as part of the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and First Deputy Prime Minister, of further promoting competitiveness within the Kingdom – in line with Bahrain Vision 2030.

“This project reflects the Kingdom’s drive for innovation, the use of the latest technologies, and the continuous support of all stakeholders including the TRA and the national Spectrum Strategy and Co-ordination Committee (SSCC), all of which serve to highlight the Kingdom’s continued role as a regional leader in telecommunications and ICT sector,” said the minister. One major benefit of 5G technology is enabling a higher volume of data transmission at higher speeds (lower latencies), according to experts.