Zain in Bahrain First Company in the World Launches WiMAX network

The Kingdom of Bahrain has set another telecommunications first with the launch Zain@home, the world’s first nationwide WiMAX network.
The technology liberalises the fixed telecommunications market in the Kingdom
 

for the first time and means customers at home can bundle together high speed broadband internet connectivity (up to 2 Mbps), fixed line voice and mobile services without the need for a land line.

The network has been launched by Zain’s pioneering operation in Bahrain and shifts the mobile services provider to an integrated telecommunications operator by offering high speed wireless internet access and fixed line services.

The Zain@home service is also nomadic, meaning that customers can change residence without changing phone numbers.  

Announcing the technological breakthrough at a Ramadan festive event, Dr. Ahmed Al Shatti, Zain Bahrain’s chief operating officer, said:  “Zain@home epitomises our focus on enriching the lives of our customers. Our success lies in interpreting technology so that it impacts our customers in a way that improves their quality of life.”

He further added “The WiMAX service is a fine example of our philosophy – not only have we harnessed a cutting edge technology to create a dynamic new market, we have launched our Zain@home packages of tailor-made options with a full stack of generous offers so that our customers can reshape the way they stay connected and interact.” 

Targeting the residential market, Zain@home offers customers ‘double play’ – a fixed line voice service and high-speed internet access in one package, providing a complete broadband service via a wireless network.

Mahmoud Abu Zannad, director of broadband services of Zain in Bahrain, said:  “This package gives customers a real technological advantage as well as excellent cost benefits.  Customers can choose a variety of bundled services that leverage the company’s well-established mobile phone services.”

Detailing the customer benefits, marketing segmentation specialist of Zain in Bahrain, Ms Manal Ahmed explained:  “All packages of Zain@home offer up to 2 Mbps internet speed – a unique concept to the Bahrain market.  This comes with unlimited talk time between Zain@home network customers and free minutes to all local destinations, whether mobile or fixed line.”

In addition, she said, calls made from a Zain@home package to up to three designated Zain mobile numbers will get an attractive 50% discount and international calls will be billed in a ‘per second’ cycle to make it convenient for customers.

Zain@home also offers individual e-mail i.d. to every customer and efficient 24x7 customer service.  When moving home customers simply unplug the wireless unit and take it to their new residence and keep the same number, so avoiding unnecessary telephone number changes and undue delays for new fixed lines.

Customers signing up for the package before December 31, 2007 will have their set-up fee waived.  They will also get their wireless unit at 70% off the listed price upon signing a 12-month contract and up to 85% off if they take up an 18-month contract.

“Customers can visit any of our Experience stores around Bahrain and sign up for the service. Once they receive their wireless unit, they can simply plug it in at their residence and get online with minimum fuss,” Abu Zannad said. “It’s part of our promise to make technology accessible and hassle-free to our customers.”

September 30,2007