New radio-communication rules to boost investment

MANAMA: Bahrain is working to attract investment by introducing new flexible radio-communications plans and regulations.

An outline for the national dissemination of frequencies has been adopted and will be provided via the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) corporate website and the national portal, bahrain.bh

It comes as iGA chief executive Mohammed Al Qaed chaired a remote meeting of the third Spectrum Strategy and Co-ordination Committee which was attended by representatives of nine government organisations.

Participants discussed the latest developments concerning the National Frequency Plan.

“The committee is working to provide for the spectrum requirements of various sectors in support of the Government Action Plan,” said Mr Al Qaed.

“The updated National Frequency Plan, which is to be issued as a digital booklet, will allow for a more effective use of the spectrum and resources.

“This will help improve the quality of mobile and satellite communications and other radio services.”

He said the plan serves as a technical guide for radio-communications users in Bahrain, including global manufacturers and developers of communications systems.

Bahrain is noted to be among the first countries in the Arab world to adopt the plan, which reflects the outcome of the World Radio-communication Conference (WRC), held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt in November 2019.

“The digital booklet plan being issued by Bahrain will serve as a reference for other countries, providing important information in a convenient and transparent manner,” said Mr Al Qaed.

“This is expected to help attract investment by showcasing the kingdom’s clear and flexible radio-communications plans and regulations.”

The National Frequency Plan allocates land, air and maritime satellite spectrums locally in line with radio regulations issued by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

It supports modern technologies and applications, meeting the requirements of the kingdom’s telecommunications sector, including government, security and private organisations, as well as individuals.

The plan was reissued following the conclusion of the WRC, which is part of the ITU Radio-communications and is held every four years.

Since 2015, the National Frequency Plan has been increasingly flexible, lifting restrictions relating to all frequency spectrums and providing them in a comprehensive way to users.

They are distributed as per strategic plans adopted by the government which serve Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector requirements.

The committee also discussed other issues including a report by the chairman of the subcommittee for international planning and the results of an Internet of Things study conducted by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.

Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/873712/New-radio-communication-rules-to-boost-investment