The Bahraini Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) has provided LTE frequencies to the three incumbent mobile operators, Batelco, Viva and Zain.
Auctions held earlier this year were derailed when local WiMAX operator Menatelecom appealed against the regulator’s proposal that LTE frequencies be made available exclusively to the three largest operators.
The proposal to provide the incumbents with the 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2100MHz bands was billed as an attempt to support the widespread adoption of LTE.
Although it has allocated LTE frequencies to these operators, TRA in fact lost the appeal and was obliged to “revitalise” the allocation process, inviting feedback on its proposals from potential licensees.
Menatelecom is planning on using its existing frequencies to launch an LTE-based fixed wireless service. It is supported in its goal by TRA, which has taken steps to improve the spectrum efficiency of Menatelecom’s offering. These include providing network management and authentication codes.
