Page 9 - SAMENA Trends - January 2020

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

the stage for the introduction of next- Kingdom; a key development underpinning Telecommunications Infrastructure (CTI)
generation ICT infrastructure, while all of the policies established by NTP4. Risk Management Regulation’ in 2017;
enhancing the Kingdom’s presence on the an effective framework to elevate the
global level. A clear spectrum policy plan has also telecommunications sector cyber security
been adopted in 2017, for assignment readiness, and harmonize efforts between
Initiating the implementation of the of appropriate bands through clearly local and global best practices.
Government policy outlined in the identified processes in order to support
Fourth National Telecommunications the continued evolution and demand in the Bahrain also attained a mature stage
Plan (“NTP4”), the TRA commenced mobile data services. of Cyber Security readiness as per
development of a new economic the assessment of the International
regulatory framework, defining the rules A review of the entire supply chain of Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) ‘Global
and obligations for operators to support international connectivity was also set Cyber Security Index 2017’.
the Plan’s goals and deliver the single in motion to assess the effectiveness of
network policy, one of the core objectives current regulation relating to the ability of TRA also continued to shine on the world
of the plan. licensed operators to access international stage. Among others, TRA was awarded
connectivity at cable landing stations in the ‘Employer of the Year – Public Sector’
In line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and Bahrain. at the Human Capital Forum Mena 2017,
the goal of becoming a ‘Smart Kingdom’, for the second time consecutively.
TRA started establishing appropriate Another highlight of 2017 was Initiating
support and incentives to promote ICT the groundwork for the implementation of The operational excellence of TRA reaping
investment as well as training programs 5th generation of mobile networks (5G). rewards; Kingdom of Bahrain stood 1st
and capacity building to foster the The Telecommunications Regulatory in the Arab world, and 31st globally, in
development of a Bahraini knowledge Authority laid down the roadmap to the ICT Development Index (IDI). The
base, talent and entrepreneurs in the establishing a 5G ecosystem in Bahrain, Kingdom was also ranked 1 globally for
internet space – committed to transform in its position paper titled: ‘Fixed Point to mobile broadband penetration, and 2nd for
the nation into a leading regional business Point Links’, along with a workshop with internet users.
and ICT hub for internet businesses, the cconcerned entities, to discuss and
content and applications, by 2018. facilitate the imminent deployment of 5G TRA remains steadfast in its
networks. commitment to transform the Kingdom’s
A core objective set by TRA in this direction telecommunication sector; constantly
is the development of optical- fiber based In light of the critical importance of breaking new grounds, and creating new
National Broadband Network (NBN) the telecommunications sector to avenues of opportunity, progress, and
capable of delivering ultra-fast broadband the Kingdom’s digital economy and prosperity.
to consumers and businesses across the businesses, TRA issued the ‘Critical

9 JANUARY 2020