While attending the recent Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Spain, Bahrain Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Kamal bin Ahmed stopped by the Zain Group booth and spoke with Zain leaders about the the telecommunications industry.
Ahmed and Zain Group officials, including Chairman Asaad Al Banwan, Zain Bahrain CEO Mohammed Zainalabedin and Group CEO Scott Gegenheimer, discussed the future of the industry and focused specifically on the 4th National Telecommunications Plan, organized by the ministry, and how the plan will build the strategic blueprint for moving the industry forward and growing revenue over the next three years.
“Zain Bahrain has played a historic and active role in the development of the kingdom's ICT sector through a multitude of technological innovations over the years playing a contributory role in Bahrain's socio-economic growth,” Ahmed said. “The group's holding of its Zain Technology Conference in Bahrain last year under the theme of 'Transforming Our World' underlies Zain's dedication to the kingdom's ICT sector, and the ministry looks forward to fostering this mutually beneficial cooperation in the years ahead.”
The plan touches on the large topics currently affecting the telecom sector. Ahmed spoke on the delivery of top-notch telecommunications services based on competitive prices and analyzing the position of the infrastructure in addition to safe and high-speed data services combined with growing consumer confidence in Bahrain’s telecommunications services.
“Zain Bahrain's strategy moving forward is to transform into a digital lifestyle operator by expanding its services in the areas of innovation and digital services provision,” Al Banwan said. “It's a collaborative approach with his excellency the minister to get us ready for a digital future.”
Before leaving, Ahmed showed appreciation to the Zain Group leaders, specifically Al Banwan and Gegenheimer, for the recent $100 million investment used to revamp the 4G network in Bahrain. Bahrain’s network, managed by industry leading solutions provider Ericsson, is one of the most technically progressive across the globe. The newly designed high-speed service allows customers to be even more engaged in digital content and grow as technologically-savvy customers.
“We are honored by his excellency the minister's visit to our booth and congratulate him on his visionary leadership of Bahrain's ICT sector that has taken it to new heights,” Al Banwan said said. “Zain Bahrain has the full support of the Zain Group board to evolve and encompass new areas of growth with a promise of positioning the kingdom at the forefront of the global telecoms industry. During the past 12 years, Zain has successfully developed into a leading mobile operator offering full-spectrum of solutions whilst continuing to set industry benchmarks in technological breakthroughs and customer service innovations supporting the kingdom's vision to be at the forefront and on the telecom world map for innovation and technology.”