The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Bahrain (TRA) has announced the adoption of radio spectrum ranges 5470 – 5725 MHz and 5925 – 6425 MHz for Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E applications. The internet users in the Kingdom will soon be able to benefit from faster and more efficient Wi-Fi 6 technologies, allowing them to enjoy the full capabilities of both fiber and 5G.
Bahrain has one of the most extensive fiber optic distributions in the world, with 5G deployments that span the entire Kingdom. Wi-Fi 6 technology brings the benefits of higher data rates, increased capacity, improved power efficiency and better performance in environments with multiple connected devices. The new features of Wi-Fi 6 will enhance the consumer experience by increasing capacity and performance. It will allow routers to communicate with more devices at once and send data to multiple devices at the same time. This is of significance, as the average number of connected devices in the Bahraini household is expected to continue to increase.
TRA General Director Philip Marnick announced, “Bahrain is one of the most connected places in the world, and internet users expect to use the full potential of both our extensive fibre and 5G coverage. Opening this new Wi-Fi spectrum will not only enable everyone in Bahrain to access the services they want today, it will also allow them to make full use of new technologies and capabilities as they become available. We want to ensure Bahrain is the best place in the world to access the internet and for companies to test their innovations.”
With the new radio spectrum in place, commercial and government organizations will be able to offer enhanced services, enabling the Kingdom to continue enhancing its global Information and Communications Technology (ICT) deployment ranking.
In April, the TRA issued a license to operate for Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite and internet services in Bahrain, being the first to do so in the GCC.
The continuous entry of more private mobile service providers into the GCC region has accelerated the rapid development of ICT services, leading to a significant increase in users. The region’s ICT development has helped strengthen its digital economy, enhanced the level of productivity and competitiveness, and created new methods to ensure direct access to the government e-services while keeping pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).
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