TRA

There are 2 posts tagged TRA (this is page 1 of 1).

UAE Among World’s Most Expensive Internet Providers

UAE Provides Expensive Internet Services


A report published on Thursday by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in the Arabic language daily newspaper Emirat Alyoum states that the UAE has one of the most expensive internet and phone services in the world; and that is despite a series of tariff cuts during the past several years.

"Telecommunications services in the UAE are far costlier than those in Europe. There is a big price gap between the UAE and Europe especially in high-speed broadband services, which could reach $1700 a month."

Internet charges also set the record for costliness among the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries. However the UAE does have one of the least expensive mobile phone services not only among the GCC but among other Arab states as well.

A second report published by the Arab Regulators Network (AREGNET) based in Cairo, a group which incorporates 15 of the region’s government telecom regulators, said that fixed-line phone services used for business in the UAE are “very costly.” The study found that residential telephone services where quite a bit less expensive.

Also stated in the report is the fact that the UAE is only one of four Arab countries that even operate high-speed broadband services within its borders.
 

Mobile Roaming Rates Reduced in GCC Countries

Roaming Tariffs Going Down in GCC Countries

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in conjunction with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has decided to implement a reduction in charges for all international calls made to GCC countries while roaming in those GCC countries. This decision comes in the wake of the decision by the ministerial committee of the GCC Council to introduce maximum prices.

This step will help bring down the roaming prices for voice calls in GCC countries. Consumers can expect their phone bills to be lowered for calls made back home while they are traveling, and will reduce the cost of international calls while they are roaming. This new implementation of a ceiling on rates will only apply to voice calls which are made within and between GCC countries. At this point in time data services such as mobile broadband or SMS costs are not included in the price reduction.

General Director of the TRA Mr. Mohamed Bubashait commented on this news:

"The implementation of maximum prices will bring further saving to consumers roaming between the GCC member states and will support cross-border business activities. Cost-effective and efficient telecommunications services raise the competitiveness of all economic sectors by way of providing cost reductions and convenience of access to telecommunications services. This contributes towards improving business and individual productivity and enhancing the Kingdom's and the region's attractiveness as a global investment center."

Mr. Bubashait further commented that, "This is a major achievement for TRA, which has led the development and negotiation of the GCC roaming regulation for the benefit of all GCC consumers."