Community Lifestyle is at the Heart of Batelco Operations, says Batelco Chief Executive

Consumers benefiting from Batelco’s US$1.4b investment in telecoms infrastructure; meanwhile, community donations exceed BD3m so far this year Batelco is committed to reaching out to the Kingdom of Bahrain and helping it stay ahead on multi-levels, from investment in telecommunications products and services to helping provide better education from nursery to third level, according to the leading telecommunications company’s Chief Executive, Peter Kaliaropoulos. He confirmed that astute investment in the Kingdom’s telecommunications infrastructure by Batelco means that Bahrain is leading the region in Broadband technology, among other new era communications tools. “Our commitment to Broadband yielded us the Best Internet Service Provider of the Year award for the Middle East and Africa, at the annual CommsMEA awards.” “Batelco has invested more than US$1.4 billion in Bahrain’s telecoms infrastructure over the past 26 years, ensuring the provision of world-class services for consumers, businesses and new entrants to market. “We remain focused on improving customers’ telecommunications experience in Bahrain through the on-going implementation of enhanced services and latest technologies, as well as ensuring that we support other aspects of the community,” Mr. Kaliaropoulos said. “On a monthly basis we receive on average 350,000 calls to our Fixed and Mobile IVR (Interactive Voice Response) menu and handle close to 150,000 calls to 196 which provides information, assistance and a wide range of services. We measure on a daily basis and always aim to improve our customer service levels which place Batelco in the top end of service performance for regional telecommunications companies.” Batelco provides fixed line access and broadband services to the majority of Bahrain’s homes and businesses. “By year end, the nation’s access to global information, communication and entertainment will be ahead of numerous international marketers,” he said. “Batelco Next Generation Network (NGN) received a BD22m investment to ensure that we provide greater broadband access comparable to mature markets in Europe, the Americas and Asia.” “In addition, Batelco’s new BD5m mobile broadband 3.5G mobile network will soon be launched with ambitious targets of speeds and services equal to, but in many ways surpassing, other international markets.” Turning to community support, he acknowledged that as the leading, integrated, telecommunications company in Bahrain, Batelco is as committed to social responsibility as it is to ensuring that the Kingdom continues to lead in telecommunications. “Batelco is committed to supporting the community in all aspects of lifestyle, not just in ensuring that the national’s telecommunications experience is second-to-none.” “So far this year we have contributed over BD3.5 million to various projects, from classroom supplies to individual hospital care,” he said. Donations this year included BD100,000 to Al Rahma Centre, BD450,000 to Al Noor Charity Association, BD800,000 to support Batelco Care Centre for Family Violence Cases, BD25,000 to Red Crescent Society, and BD700,000 to complete the Company’s commitment, totaling BD1.5 million, to the King Hamad Schools of the Future project. Mr. Kaliaropoulos confirmed that Batelco was also committed to supporting the Crown Prince Scholarship for Excellence, a superb initiative to develop the qualifications and skills of Bahrain’s brightest students. Meanwhile, during the Holy Month, Batelco has joined hands with charity societies to distribute thousands of food baskets and bottled water to the island’s needy families. Turning back to the market, Mr. Kaliaropoulos acknowledged that Bahrain is one of the most open telecommunications markets in the Middle East & North Africa. “Batelco must compete with a growing band of operators in the Kingdom with 134 licences issued by the TRA (Telecommunications Regulatory Authority) across all services,” he said. “However, many of these operators have chosen not to invest but rather use the excellent facilities that are in place as a result of Batelco’s years of investment.” He confirmed that Batelco will continue its contribution to the Kingdom’s telecommunications infrastructure: “Batelco is committed to ensuring that the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure, products and services are all cutting-edge.” However, he noted that if the TRA continues to limit commercial returns for new infrastructure investments while not addressing loss-making local access services and re-balancing tariffs, Batelco will continue to invest in infrastructure but be more selective on projects. "We will continue to re-invent our operating model to deliver to the competitive demands of the ‘new era’ customer in Bahrain, while ensuring that we maintain market leadership in the face of economic shifts and changes,” he concluded.