MANAMA (WiMAX Day). In the hushed elegance of the Banyan Tree Spa, MTC-Vodafone this week unveiled the launch of the first phase of its WiMAX network in Bahrain.

In July 2007, the Bahraini joint venture of Vodafone Group and Kuwait’s MTC Group, will launch limited fixed and nomadic WiMAX services to both residential and business customers.

MTC-Vodafone was one of two companies awarded a national 3.5 GHz license in January 2007, for which the company bid US$14.58 million. “Winning the award to operate WiMAX services is an important recognition of MTC-Vodafone (Bahrain)’s ongoing commitment to the provision of innovative and competitively-priced telecommunications services for the people of Bahrain,” said Dr. Ahmed Al Shatti, the company’s chief operating officer.

The launch of WiMAX in Bahrain is in line with MTC Group strategy of providing the best wireless services to its customers. Ultimately, the WiMAX network will provide “the best and most innovative services for voice telephony, Internet and data services, at more competitive prices.”

It is expected that MTC-Vodafone will invest up to US$ 53 million over the next three years in its WiMAX infrastructure. “These investments are based on a sound commercial basis and accurate financial forecasts, which allow us to expect good demand and provide excellent services in accordance with the requirements of the license, and will result in the success of our WiMAX services in the Kingdom [of Bahrain],” said Al Shatti.

Thus far, MTC-Vodafone has collaborated with the local systems integration firm Intracom Middle East FZ LLC, which the company announced is on a short-list of companies that are being considered by MTC-Vodafone to implement the WiMAX network.

Continued innovation
MTC-Vodafone has enjoyed a long list of innovative services since 2003 when it launched the second GSM network in Bahrain. The company has been the first to launch 3G, GPRS and pre-paid roaming services in Bahrain, and also has been aggressive in launching mobile entertainment services.

MTC is the leading mobile operator in the Middle East and Africa. The company operates in Kuwait and Bahrain as MTC-Vodafone, in Jordan as Fastlink, in Iraq as MTC Atheer, in Lebanon as MTC Touch, in Sudan as Mobitel and in 14 sub-Saharan African countries as Celtel.

“Our continued innovation is essential,” Al Shatti added. “The time is just right for WiMAX in Bahrain – our leading technology innovations are enabling the move away from traditional fixed voice and data services that rely on wires at a time when the country is experiencing an influx of new businesses in conjunction with a construction boom that demands a 21st century telecommunications infrastructure. And that’s just what we are delivering.”