TRA consultation on Int’l Roaming Regulation

Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) Bahrain has circulated on its website a public consultation entitled Regulation on Roaming on Public Mobile Communications Networks.

The consultation introduces a significantly revamped International Roaming Regulation; the aim of which is to provide enhanced consumer protection safeguards notably by increasing tariff transparency insofar as this relates to international roaming. Significantly international data roaming is now also within the scope of the regulation and more importantly for consumers, an automatic cut off limit is being proposed that would see data roaming services being switched off once a pre-determined financial limit is reached.

TRA General Director Mohamed Bubashait stated that I am confident that these improvements should massively help reduce the element of ‘Bill Shock’ which is a phenomenon that affects many travelers who are faced with high international roaming bills upon their return from their travels.

The revised regulation draws on best practice from other leading jurisdictions. It is the first comprehensive regulation of this nature in the GCC region and this further enhances TRA’s reputation as the leading Telecommunications Regulator in the Middle East, Bubashait added.

The consultation is available for public viewing on the TRA’s website and the deadline for the submission of responses is October 29.