Page 8 - SAMENA Trends - January 2020

POSITIONING THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN AMONG THE LEADING DIGITAL ECONOMIES SAMENA TRENDS

developed by the TRA to improve the Course’, amongst others. compared to 22,552 requests in 2017); and
dispute handling process; establishing 64% reduction in fixed number portability
the principles and procedures for the Under its staff development initiative requests (2817, compared to 7800
submission, handling and resolution of a the TRA implemented several initiatives requests in 2017).
Dispute arising between a Subscriber and including the Culture Transformation TRA also led from the front on the global
a licensed operator. Program, imparting EQFM based training telecommunications arena. Alongside
to new TRA employees; ‘Lean Six Sigma attending many international conferences
According to the Global Training’; ‘Mini Mobile World Congress’ and seminars, including the noted ITU
Competitiveness Report workshop focusing on ‘New Technologies’, 20th Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-18);
TRA represented the Arab Region within
with leading global ICT infrastructure
published by the World provider, Huawei; and a Workshop, ITU-T Study Group 17 for Cyber Security,
Economic Forum in Leadership Program, in Cooperation with and hosted the 16th Annual AREGNET
Conference in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Global Executive Education and BIBF.
October 2018, Bahrain The Kingdom’s telecommunications
ranked 3rd globally in sector witnessed continuous competition TRA won the prestigious CommsMEA’s
the
Year”
“Regulatory
of
Initiative
and achievements in providing diverse and
internet user percentage at high-quality telecommunications services Award for 2018, at the 13th Annual
98%; 5th globally in mobile to both residential and businesses users. CommsMEA Awards in Dubai, UAE,
broadband penetration rate Some mobile services prices decreased for its efforts in developing the Public
Radiocommunications Stations Regulation
by 27% between 2017 and 2018 and as
(147.3%); and 10th globally much as 54% between 2013 and 2018. aiming at ensuring secure and advanced
in mobile penetration rate Fixed broadband prices also fell by 7% telecommunications infrastructure.
between 2017 and 2018 and as much as
(158.4%). 82% between 2013 and 2018. In acknowledgement of the Authority’s
efforts that demonstrated the greatest
A new integrated complaint and inquiry The steep decline in the services’ prices commitment to its financial policies &
management system – featuring a contributes to the significantly high procedures combined with the key initiative
consumer portal where consumers could penetration rates of telecommunications to improve operational effectiveness, TRA
easily log in and submit details of their services in Bahrain, which have constantly was presented with the “Finance Team of
complaint and supporting documents; was remained amongst the highest rates the Year – Public Sector” award, at the
also launched in order to maintain effective globally, over the past several years. ‘CFO Strategies Forum MENA’, in Dubai,
communication between TRA, consumers UAE.
and licensed operators. According to the Global Competitiveness
Report published by the World Economic For its outstanding employee development
Keen to better serve all society segments, Forum in October 2018, Bahrain ranked and training programs, TRA was awarded
including disabled consumers; TRA 3rd globally in internet user percentage the “Excellence in HR- Employer of the
launched a video call service for its at 98%; 5th globally in mobile broadband Year” Award, at the 2018 Future Workplace
Consumer Call Center, which enabled any penetration rate (147.3%); and 10th globally Awards, in Dubai, UAE.
android user to initiate a video call directly in mobile penetration rate (158.4%).
to TRA’s Consumer Call Center, to submit Earlier, an accomplishing year, 2017
their complaints and enquiries. 2018 also witnessed a 36% reduction in had ushered in a new era in the Bahrain
mobile number porting requests (14,449 telecommunication sector, setting
Awareness campaigns were also
conducted throughout the year to inform
and empower consumers. ‘Know Your
Rights’; ‘Your Sim Your Responsibility’; and
‘I am Roaming Ready’ being the highlight.
As part of its initiatives under the Fourth
National Telecommunications Plan to
develop human resources capacity in the
telecommunications sector, TRA launched
a number of initiatives, and conducted
workshops & sessions throughout the
year including the “VAT for Telecoms
Workshop” in collaboration with KPMG
for its employees and licensed telecom
companies, and ‘5G Masterclass Training
TRA Bahrain received an award for “Finance Team of the Year-Public Sector”.

8 JANUARY 2020