Customers paying bills via e-channels can win prizes (Bahrain)
Batelco, Bahrain’s leading telecommunication services provider is delighted to announce that customers who use Batelco e-Channels to make bill payments, between April 1st and June 30th, will be entered into a raffle draw to win high value prizes.
Batelco has a number of easy to use e-payment channels to help its customers save time and pay their Batelco bills. Customers can log on to Batelco e-services on batelco.com or use the Company’s QuickServe machines which are available in strategic locations across the Kingdom to make their payments quickly and easily through a secure gateway using debit or credit cards.
During the promotional period, customers who use Batelco’s designated e-Channels to make bill payments on time will be entered into a raffle to win cash rewards and those who pay the highest bills will be entered to win a Sony Xperia S mobile phone. There are 12 prizes of BD50 and two Sony Xperia 2 devices to win each month.
Batelco Group General Manager Media Relations Ahmed Al Janahi said that Batelco places special emphasis on enhancing the lives of its customers through providing them with the most innovative and time-saving payment methods.
He said Batelco always strives to diversify its payment options as part of its ongoing efforts to deliver an unbeatable customer experience. They encourage their customers to pay their Batelco bills through the website or their QuickServe machines, which are available at strategic places across the country, to be in with a chance to win one of the great prizes.
He added that these innovative e-payment channels are designed to allow customers to pay their Batelco bills from the convenience of their offices or homes.
4G/LTE trial by Batelco and Huawei is successful (Bahrain, China)
Batelco, the Kingdom`s leading integrated communications services provider and Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, have successfully showcased LTE (Long Term Evolution) mobile technology at Batelco’s Hamala Headquarters on March 22nd. LTE, commonly referred to as 4G enables delivery of super fast data speeds. During the trial speeds of 150Mbps were achieved.
Batelco embarked on its US$ 38.4 million MNE (Mobile Network Expansion) project in June 2010, to develop a superior network performance for Batelco and ensure readiness for LTE. Such financial commitment ensures that Bahrain’s infrastructure for wireless is the best in class and measures up to the top 10 markets in the world. Delivery of LTE is a crucial enabler of the Business Friendly Bahrain strategy, established by the Economic Development Board, in line with the Kingdom’s 2030 vision.
Batelco Group Chief Executive Shaikh Mohamed Bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Bahrain Rashid Abdulla, General Manager Consumer Division Muna Alhashimi, Chief Technical Officer John Ford and a number of Batelco officials were present at the LTE Trial along with Huawei Vice President of ME Gordon Wu and Huawei Deputy President of Batelco Key Account Elsa Tan plus a number of Huawei technical representatives.
Batelco Group Chief Executive Shaikh Mohamed Bin Isa Al Khalifa thanked Huawei for their invaluable contribution to Batelco in carrying out the successful LTE trial. He said that Huawei has been a key partner in providing Batelco with innovative telecommunications solutions over the past few years and they appreciate their invaluable contribution towards the successful delivery of key services for customers.
Batelco Bahrain Chief Executive Rashid Abdulla explained that Batelco`s major objective in investing in 4G/LTE was to enhance, upgrade and expand their mobile broadband network to tackle a number of needs such as providing or enhancing Data coverage and quality of service in newly developed or remote areas.
Huawei Vice President of Middle East Gordon Wu, said that collaborating with Batelco in structuring LTE services for the people of Bahrain has been a fantastic experience as well as an opportunity to further meet the demand for superior connectivity in the Kingdom. He added that high-speed broadband technologies like LTE are incredible platforms through which to foster national development, and they look forward to working with Batelco to build on this most recent achievement.
With the provision of 4G/LTE, Batelco mobile users will experience faster access to the internet. The networks will also be capable of handling the much greater throughput of data in real time that`s required to support such services as mobile HD video streaming and conferencing, web-based applications and services, and the rapid transfer of large files. 4G/LTE will have a download data transfer rate of up to 10 times faster than that of 3G.
4G/LTE will provide Batelco Mobile Users with significant benefits that extend beyond traditional day to day wireless communications. Consumers will benefit from access to a wide range of new and rich innovative multimedia applications. It also opens the doors for innovative applications, products, services and solutions targeted not only to today’s handheld mobile devices, but also to other non-traditional devices.
Batelco offers free Mobile Data for SimSim customers (Bahrain)
Batelco, the Kingdom’s leading mobile services provider has announced a special deal for SimSim customers allowing them to receive 200MB of free mobile data usage when they refill with US$ 10.6 SimSim Voucher.
The free 200 MB will provide a great additional benefit for SimSim customers by giving them the opportunity to browse the Internet, download their favorite music, games and applications for free and hence save more money. The 200MB will be added directly to the customer account after the refill as a bonus on top of the main refilled amount and data bonus will remain valid for 30 days from the refill date.
This bonus is for data usage only and cannot be used for BlackBerry service or by Prepaid O-net subscribers.
Batelco General Manager Media Relations, Ahmed Al Janahi said that Batelco continuously reviews its special deals for SimSim customers in order to meet their varied telecom needs.
He added that by adding free 200MB of Mobile Data usage on top of US$ 10.6 SimSim vouchers refills, they are delivering top value to customers for their money. Further, they place the needs of their customers as a key priority and listen to their feedback in order to deliver products and services that improve their communication facilities.
Batelco sells 42.7 per cent stake in Indian venture STel (Bahrain, India)
Telecom operator Bahrain Telecommunications Co, commonly known as Batelco, is the first operator to sell its stake in an Indian venture following the Indian Supreme Court’s verdict for cancellation of 122 2G licences. According to reports, Batelco has sold its 42.7 per cent stake in STel, to Sky City Foundation for US$175 million.
As per a statement made by Batelco, this is a part of an earlier understanding with its Indian partner to exit, given the circumstances surrounding the 2G probe in India over the past 12 months. Reports reveal that Shaikh Mohamed bin Isa Al Khalifa, CEO, Batelco Group has said that as Batelco continues to grow and diversify its operations, they remain interested in other investment opportunities that will enable them to participate in the Indian telecom market. He said that they are actively exploring all options in this respect.
Sources claim that the verdict will result in a cancellation of six licences for telecom operator STel. As reported earlier, Telenor Norway, which offers services in India under the brand Uninor, had also hinted at a possibility of exiting the Indian mobile market owing to the cancellation of the licences acquired in 2008.
Batelco to review future of business operations in India (Bahrain, India)
The Supreme Court’s decision to cancel all 122 2G licences in India seems to be having a ripple effect in the Indian telecom industry. According to reports, Batelco seems to be following Telenor’s footsteps in deciding its future in the Indian mobile market.
The company has issued a statement claiming that Batelco’s India affiliate STel will review the sustainability of its operations under the revised terms imposed by a recent court order. The operator says that whilst the immediate focus is on STel’s customers, employees and suppliers, STel shareholders will also review the sustainability of its business operations under the revised conditions imposed by the court’s recent judgement impacting the telecoms industry.
The statement added that Batelco was not involved in the STel licence application process nor had any knowledge of any of the events surrounding the granting of the 2G licences in January 2008. Further, Batelco holds 42.7 per cent equity in STel since May 2009. As at December 31, 2011, Batelco’s carrying value of its equity in STel is $123.3 million.
Further, Batelco invested in STel following a diligence exercise with the support of financial and commercial advisers. It also received certain representations and warranties from STel’s promoter regarding the validity of the licence. The firm respects and abides by all legal and regulatory rulings and determinations in every market it operates. Batelco will review, together with other STel shareholders, all legal options following the handing down of the Indian Supreme Court judgement.
Finally, as Batelco continues to grow and diversify its operations, it intends to explore all options to remain involved in the Indian telecommunications market.
Batelco launches new broadband package (Bahrain)
Bahrain’s leading telecom services provider, Batelco has launched a new consumer broadband package priced at only US$31.82 which delivers a speed of up to 1Mbps with 4GB threshold limit.
Additionally, Batelco is offering free registration for all new subscribers.
The new BD12 package follows Batelco’s recent overhaul of all its consumer broadband packages. During the past weeks, all Batelco consumer broadband customers received automatic upgrades to their broadband service to benefit from a combination of faster speeds, higher threshold limits and lower prices.
The new package brings the number of consumer broadband packages offered by Batelco to eight and fits neatly between Batelco’s entry level US$26.52/ 640kb/2GB package and the US$39.78/1Mb/ 8GB package.
Zain board approves Kingdom, Batelco offer
A majority of the Zain board have approved an offer by Kingdom Holding and Bahrain Telecom BTEL.BH (Batelco) for the Kuwait telecom firm’s Saudi assets.
According to sources, the board approved the offer with a vote of five to two. Kingdom and Batelco offered to buy the assets at US$2.67 per share, paying $1.2 billion in total, and agreeing to take over $3.8 billion of debt.
Zain Board declines Batelco offer for Zain Saudi stake (Kuwait)
Kuwait’s biggest phone operator, Zain has reportedly turned down an offer from Bahrain Telecommunications Co. to acquire its 25% stake in Zain Saudi Arabia.
As per sources, Batelco’s offer was below the book value of the stake. Batelco, Bahrain’s largest phone company stated on Feb. 9 that it submitted to an offer to acquire Zain Group’s stake in Zain Saudi. Zain’s board met today to decide on the offer. The meeting followed an announcement by Kingdom Holding Co. that it has not reached an agreement with Zain to buy its stake in Zain Saudi. Kingdom Holding, controlled by Saudi billionaire, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, made an offer on Jan. 31.
Zain Saudi shares today fell by 4.3% in Riyadh to US$2.06, valuing the company at US$2.9 billion. The stock has declined 22% in the past year.
Zain’s board decision may frustrate a bid by Emirates Telecommunications Corp. to buy a 46% controlling stake in Zain. Etisalat is in talks with Zain shareholders to buy a majority stake in the Kuwaiti company. It has stated that Zain needs to sell its stake in the Saudi unit in a timely fashion for the deal to proceed.
Batelco introduces inbound roaming promotion (Bahrain)
Bahrain’s leading telecom provider, Batelco has announced its new inbound roaming promotion which will offer cash prizes of $5000 and three day tickets to the 2011 Grand Prix which will take place in the kingdom on March 13.
The campaign will run until February 23 and the winners will be announced at the end of the month. Visitors to Bahrain need to select the network ‘Batelco’ or ‘42601′ as soon as they arrive in Bahrain to be in with a chance to win. For every three minutes of accumulated call time, either local or international, customers will be given one entry in the prize draw.
According to Batelco Group General Manager Media Relations Ahmed Al Janahi, thousands of visitors cross the causeway from Saudi Arabia on a regular basis and in addition thousands more arrive from destinations all over the world at Bahrain International Airport. They are delighted to welcome all these visitors by offering them the opportunity to win a large cash prize and a pair of tickets to watch the F1 race at Bahrain International Circuit.
He added that Batelco’s inbound roaming service is unmatched thanks to the Company’s modern network. They have invested millions of dinars to ensure that residents and visitors to Bahrain enjoy world class communication services.
Batelco is a sponsor of the Bahrain International Circuit, the home of motorsport and the venue for the annual Formula One race.
