Batelco Bahrain: Innovation, Excellence and Efficiency in 2012
At year end of 2012, Batelco Bahrain maintained its market leading position with a 41% share of the mobile market in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Manama, Bahrain: Batelco Group (Ticker: BATELCO), the leading telecom in the Middle East of reference with operations across six countries, announced its results for the twelve-months ended 31 December 2012 (“the year”).
“Batelco’s market leadership in Bahrain is rooted in our ongoing efforts to remain as competitive as possible both from an innovation and customer service stand point as well as in terms of our operational efficiency.”
In Bahrain innovation, excellence and efficiency remained the core focus. At year end of 2012, Batelco Bahrain maintained its market leading position with a 41% share of the mobile market in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This was supported by strong rates of customer retention, especially among high value post-paid residential and business customers, and a strong 3% increase in mobile subscriber numbers during the fourth quarter. Nevertheless, year over year, mobile subscribers saw a 5% decline as a result of ongoing and aggressive competition and a challenging regulatory environment. With regard to mobile broadband subscribers, the year also saw positive results with year over year growth of 56% and 8% increase quarter on quarter.
Demand for fixed services, as in previous periods, continued to decline. Fixed broadband and fixed line subscriber numbers reduced by 8% and 5%, respectively, year over year whilst remaining stable since last quarter. These results are in line with industry trends, particularly in the MENA region where users continue to migrate from fixed broadband and telephony to wireless and mobile technologies.
“Batelco’s market leadership is rooted in our ongoing efforts to remain as competitive as possible both from an innovation and customer service stand point as well as in terms of our operational efficiency. As announced in the third quarter of the year, we have initiated an extensive restructuring, which as we go forward will help to further streamline and strengthen our business and in turn ensure that we are always able to deliver the best products, promotions, service and overall value to customers. That we continue to maintain market share and the loyalty of our high value post-paid residential and business subscribers, quarter after quarter, and despite tough competition means we are succeeding and that the value added products, services and care we give is still the best in the market,” said Shaikh Mohamed.
Underscoring its focus on innovation, in 2012, Batelco inaugurated its ideas Centre, a first of its kind facility in the Kindom, giving users an advanced look into the future of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The new ideas Centre features the latest communication technologies and emerging services still in development as well as showcasing a broad range of smart services being developed and which will add value to Batelco’s offering.
During 2012, Batelco also launched numerous promotions and new services in addition to undertaking operational enhancements. Importantly, it completed the upgrading of its Command Centre and Network Operations Centre (NOC) located at the company’s Hamala headquarters to ensure business continuity and the uninterrupted provision of services to customers in case of disaster or emergencies.
Innovation in mobile also saw enhancements to and rollout of new packages and solutions for smart phone and data usage as well as exciting new promotions such as an SMS competition giving mobile customers the chance to win significant cash gifts and prizes. New packages, enhancements to speed, reliability and service also supported mobile and mobile broadband growth during the fourth quarter and retention throughout the year.
For business customers, a key segment, a range of new services and facilities were also launched. Among these was the opening of a state-of-the-art Customer Experience Centre, another first of its kind in Bahrain, aimed at supporting customers and ensuring they can readily gain advice and access the best and broadest range of customized, integrated solutions to meet their business requirements. Other enhancements for business customers came through key partnerships including the launch of MPLS IP VPN interconnectivity in partnership with Omantel, which facilitated the availability of our IP Services to more locations regionally and globally.
“Our commitment to service is underscored by each of these initiatives among a host of others. In recognition of these efforts, we were delighted in 2012 to be presented with the Best Business Service award for the MENA region at the annual CommsMEA Awards. This prestigious award recognises the operator that has provided unmatched services for its customers throughout 2012. For us, there is no better honour than one that highlights the significant investments we continue to make in our network and the development of world class products and services to ensure that residents of the Kingdom of Bahrain have access to the latest communications tools.“
This press release has been issued by Batelco Corporate Affairs department.
For further information, please contact Batelco Public Relations Office
Public.Relations@btc.com.bh / Fax +973 17611898