Research and Markets: Telecom Company Batelco's Monopoly of Fixed-Line and Broadband Have Been Broken inside Bahrain.

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c34945) has announced the addition of Pyramid Research's report Bahrain Country Outlook, March 2006 to their offering.

Bahrain, the small island-kingdom, remains one of the most developed telecom markets in the Middle East. Despite the small size and the maturity of the market, the country offers some of the most interesting entry opportunities for small and mid-sized players. The incumbent Batelco's previously held monopoly in mobile was opened to competition in 2003. More recently, Batelco's monopoly of fixed-line and broadband have also been broken. The incumbent's dominance is being kept in check by a world-class regulatory environment. As a result, opportunities to take advantage of temporary economic rents in previously protected segments have attracted numerous actual and potential entrants. In mobile there is now a strong and fast growing competitor with quality-based positioning, leading to increased levels of investment, better quality of services and even lower tariffs. Several broadband licenses have been issued and the threat of market entry has been successful in forcing Batelco into slashing its relatively high rates, thus allowing for higher penetration and increased investment. This favorable and promising liberalization policy is expected to continue.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c34945