ICT
From The Report: Bahrain 2020
View in Online Reader

With developed ICT infrastructure, high penetration rates, a tech-savvy population and a business-friendly ecosystem, Bahrain has much to offer investors. The kingdom’s geographically and demographically compact market provides an ideal sandbox for tech companies and start-ups to experiment and roll out pilot programmes, giving it a well-established research and development pedigree. Telecommunications companies in Bahrain face many of the same challenges as providers in other countries, with a decline in demand for voice services, accelerating data consumption and higher investment costs, particularly as infrastructure spending is disproportionately allocated to the rollout of the 5G network. Nevertheless, tech firms and start-ups will continue to benefit from the kingdom’s relative ease of doing business and government support in the form of funding, accelerators and incubators. This chapter contains an interview with Mikkel Vinter, CEO, Batelco.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Data drive: Established tech companies and new businesses benefit from a robust regulatory framework and rising demand for data services
OBG
plus

With developed ICT infrastructure, high penetration rates, a tech-savvy population and a business-friendly ecosystem, Bahrain has much to offer investors. The kingdom’s geographically and demographically compact market provides an ideal sandbox for tech companies and start-ups to experiment and roll out pilot programmes, giving it a well-established research and development pedigree. In terms of telecoms, there are three major providers in operation, with the largest, Bahrain Telecommunications…

Interview

Holistic approach: Mikkel Vinter, CEO, Batelco, on leveraging data centre clusters and 5G technology to attract international investment
OBG
plus

Interview:Mikkel Vinter How can the telecoms industry and regulator better cooperate to develop smart city infrastructure? MIKKEL VINTER: Smart cities process massive amounts of data around the clock. This requires constant and ubiquitous connectivity through very-high-capacity networks consisting of wired (fibre optics) and wireless (5G) elements. These networks, which will be critical for all societal and economic functions, will be built and maintained by industry, which means private…

Analysis

Strong foundations: The kingdom continues to offer a range of support for start-ups
OBG
plus

With highly developed ICT infrastructure and a raft of government and private sector-backed incubation and development programmes, Bahrain’s start-up scene is built on a strong foundation. This enabling environment is helping many new firms to develop innovative ideas and personal passions into bankable businesses. As a result, the kingdom continues to see high demand for incubator and accelerator space, alongside the growth of projects in areas such as financial technology (fintech) and…

Overview

Bridging the divide: The ever-expanding digital economy is creating widespread opportunities in the developing world
OBG
plus

More and more commercial transactions are moving online and the so-called digital economy continues to expand its reach into every facet of the traditional analogue economy. For businesses this means they have access to new channels to reach existing clients as well as new opportunities to expand market share with a competitive digital offering. For consumers the ever-expanding digital economy promises greater access to products and services at their fingertips, as well as increased ease in accessing and comparing information about them. This also tends to encourage more competitive pricing among providers. In emerging economies the development…

Overview

Bridging the divide: The ever-expanding digital economy is creating widespread opportunities in the developing world
OBG
plus

More and more commercial transactions are moving online and the so-called digital economy continues to expand its reach into every facet of the traditional analogue economy. For businesses this means they have access to new channels to reach existing clients as well as new opportunities to expand market share with a competitive digital offering. For consumers the ever-expanding digital economy promises greater access to products and services at their fingertips, as well as increased ease in accessing and comparing information about them. This also tends to encourage more competitive pricing among providers. In emerging economies the development…