TRA starts regulation of Mast Deployment

Manama : Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) held a workshop last week at its headquarters to commence the project of establishing Mast Deployment Regulatory Framework and rectify the legal status of unpermitted masts. 

The workshop was with the participation of government stakeholders and public wireless network operators.

It was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Municipalities, the Supreme Council for Environment, the Civil Aviation Affairs, security and military entities and the Information Affairs Authority.

The General Director Mohammed Bubashait stated, “Under the new responsibility defined by the new government decision concerning telecommunications masts TRA has ensured that a suitable regulatory framework and systems are in place to facilitate the evolution of environment-friendly wireless networks that continuously support the future services and respond to the consumer and investors’ needs”. 

Project Manager Adel Alshowaikh stated: “We have contracted with an international firm called ‘Salience Consulting” to provide the necessary consultancy to assist in executing this project to the best international practices. Since the start of the project in January TRA has conducted a study of masts’ current status to identify the main causes led to the increase of unpermitted masts. “

Alshowaikh added, “Currently, we have ongoing working-meetings with the relevant entities to formulate the most efficient and cost effective solutions to permit new masts and rectify the legal status of existing masts. We expect to start onsite rectification works by end of the year.”

The project will take into consideration deploying future masts with better designs to blend with the surrounding environment and address public concerns towards mast emissions. 

The project will also limit the amount of masts and towers by encouraging site sharing among operators.