Overview on Type Approvals for Bahrain

The purpose of type approvals in Bahrain is to:

• Prevent technical harm to the network.
• Prevent degradation of service to persons other than the users of the equipment.

Telecommunications equipment requires type approval before it can be imported, sold or connected to the public telecommunications network.
The type approval body is owned and operated by the government. The carriers are private and government owned and operated.

Infrastructure Development
Ministry of Transport
Telecommunications Office
PO Box 11170 Manama
Bahrain
Telephone: +973 534 534
Telefax: +973 533 544
Contact: Dr. Rasheed Jassim Ashoor
Network Operating Agencies
Carriers do not require additional testing.

Equipment for use by BATELCO must meet ITU-T and CCIR regulations. Bahrain dealers or agents who sell telecommunications equipment to the general public for use with the main BATELCO system, must ensure that all items conform to similar standards. In addition, they must meet the BATELCO standards, e.g. switching equipment must use the same signaling methods, or handheld mobile telephones must conform to the access modes used by BATELCO.
Bahrain's telecommunications infrastructure is one of the most sophisticated in the Gulf region . BATELCO put in place a centralized operation and management system aimed at controlling and unifying all network elements. All switches were upgraded in 1996 to allow for expansion of services within the region. It is the intent of BATELCO to become a regional provider rather than just a national operator.

Bahrain Telecommunications Company (BATELCO)
PO Box 14
Manama
Bahrain
Telephone: +973 881 881
Telefax: +973 883 451
Contact: Mr. Andrew Hearn, Chief Executive
Mr. David Gregory, Chief Operating Officer (Customer Services)

Services
BATELCO provides the following services:
Telex
International Database Access Service (IDAS) via
Dial-up (X.28)
Dedicated (X.25)
X.25 Host

Leased Circuits to carry any of the following:
Conventional teleprinter-type messages
Voice communications
Facsimile
Data transmission
Video Conferencing

Message Switching with lines entering from:
International leased lines
Local leased lines
The Public Telex Network (PTN)
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
The Public (or Private) Packet Switched Data Network (PPSDN)

Telegrams - including:
Phonogram
Faxgram
Printergram
Arabic Telegrams

Single line telephony

Bahrain Digital Data Network (BDDN)

VoiceMail with:
Call forwarding
Privacy and Security
Advanced listening features
Immediate notification
Voice messages

VoiceMail applications for:
VoiceMail
Telephone answering
Audio text
Paging
Audio text integration
Automated Attendant
Aspen forms
Networking

Stardial
Alarm call free
Call waiting free
Conference call Free
Immediate call forwarding
Call forwarding on No Reply free
Call forwarding on Busy
Do not disturb
Abbreviated dialing
Call Barring -- National call only, All outgoing calls, International direct dialing (IDD), Calls made through operators (131, 151 and 191), International Direct Dialing and call made through operators
Last number redial
Fastline with time break
Absent subscriber # (mobile phones)

Faxline 100
Broadcast fax service (B-Fax)
Call forwarding
PhoneFax service
BureaFax
CheckFax
Fax Directory
Fault reporting

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) with the following applications:
LAN to LAN connectivity
Leased Line back-up and supplement capacity
File transfer
Information services
Videophony
Multimedia
Group 4 fax

ISDN Supplementary services including:
Calling line identification Multiple subscriber number (MSN) Terminal portability