This is the final phase of a $57m (BD21.8m) investment to deliver automated broadband access to all residences across the country.
The NGN project, which will enable voice, data and video services to be provided on a single line, will make Bahrain the first country in the world with complete country-wide broadband.
Work on the new infrastructure has been completed and the task to migrate services to the new network has begun, the company said. More than 30,000 lines out of 200,000 are already connected to the network. Final connections are due to be completed by July 2008, two years ahead of schedule.
"Currently, only some of the residents are enjoying the benefits of an e-lifestyle with shopping online and distance learning widely used, but the completion of our project will deliver these and other conveniences to the majority," Batelco chief executive Peter Kaliaropoulos said.
With the recent launch of the e-government payment gateway in Bahrain, residents can now pay their electricity and water bills and traffic fines without leaving their homes.
Plans are in place to introduce a number of additional e-government services in the near future which will speed up numerous processes, and make standing in queues for some services a thing of the past.
"Such investments not only directly contribute to the kingdom's economy but further improve Bahrain's competitiveness and position the kingdom as a natural choice for communications-intensive companies to locate their regional headquarters," said Mr Kaliaropoulos.
Quelle/Source: Gulf FDaily News, 11.09.2007
