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In accordance with section 3(f) of the Telecommunications Law, the TRA shall, when determining to take measures that will have a material effect on a particular telecommunications market, offer interested parties the opportunity to give their opinions as to such measures within a reasonable period of time. Accordingly, the TRA gives notice that is has initiated a consultation process, during which interested parties can submit their input regarding the matters listed further down.

Copies of the consultation papers can be viewed by clicking on the links below. Like all publications issued by the TRA, the consultation papers are available in large fonts and Braille upon request.

Each consultation has a deadline for the receipt of comments that is specified in the paper itself. Note that responses should not be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. local time. Respondents can submit their comments to the TRA by:


E-mail:		consult@tra.org.bh
Post:		P.O. Box 10353 Manama – Kingdom of Bahrain
Fax:		17532125
Below are the issues that the TRA consulted or is currently consulting on, listed alphabetically for ease of reference. For each table relating to a specific issue items are listed in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent. The TRA seeks to operate in both Arabic and English, and intends, as far as possible, to both issue and accept documents in either Arabic or English, as appropriate. In so far as documents are issued by the TRA in both languages, and despite the TRA’s best endeavors to produce accurate versions of documents in both Arabic and English, it is possible that differences between the two language versions may occur. In such cases, and in the event of a dispute, the original version in which the document was issued shall prevail. If necessary, a new and more accurate translation will be issued in an attempt to remedy any discrepancy between the original and translated versions. As part of the TRA’s efforts to provide simplified documents, the Authority issues, where possible, in parallel with certain papers, explanatory briefs which serve that function exclusively and should not be used for other purposes.

-	Arab Memorandum of Understanding on the Regulation of the International Mobile Roaming
-	Introduction of new Value Added Services licence
-	2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Frequency Licensing
-	Assignment of spectrum in the 1785-1805 MHz band
-	Accounting Separation
-	Batelco's Cost of Capital
-	Carrier Pre-Selection
-	Competition Guidelines
-	Consultation Process
-	Consumer Protection
-	Consumer Protection Guidelines
-	Cost of Capital
-	Decision on the Requirement to Register Subscriber Details of Prepaid Mobile Customers
-	Dominance in certain markets and the provision of Access services
-	Dominance in Interconnection Markets
-	Dominance in Wholesale Markets
-	Regulation on Notification of International Roaming Tariffs by SMS
	Equipment Approval Regulation
-	Local Loop and related facilities and services
-	Local Loop unbundling
-	Mergers and Acquisitions
-	Methodology for definition of Telecommunications Markets
-	Methodology for determining Dominance and Significant Market Power
-	Migration of Telecommunications Frequencies
-	Mobile Number Portability
-	Mobile Phone Jammers
-	Mobile Termination Rate Regulation
-	National Numbering Plan
-	National Security Requirements
-	Number Portability
-	Number Portability Specifications Consultation
-	Ownership Regulation
-	Public consultation on a Draft Guidelines for Telecommunications Infrastructure Deployment
-	Public Consultation on Possible Changes to Batelco’s RIO RAO
-	The possibility of issuing additional mobile licenses
-	Quality of Service
-	Repeal of the Determination on the Methodology for the Definition of Telecommunications Markets and Methodology for Determining Market Power
-	Retail Price Controls
-	Retail Tariffs Framework and Fixed line Services Rebalancing
-	Spectrum Policy and Planning
-	Strategic and Retail Market Review
-	Telecommunications Infrastructure Deployment in New Property Developments
-	Telecommunications Network Infrastructure
-	Telecommunications Radio Frequency Spectrum
-	TRA Forward Plan
-	TRA Work Plan for the Years 2007/2009
-	TRA Consult the public on National Numbering Plan
-	Wireless Telecommunications Network Facility Sharing

	Number Portability Specifications Consultation
	Number Portability Specifications Consultation

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Number Portability Specifications Consultation Fixed Number Portability Specification Mobile Number Portability Specification Central System Specification Routing and Charging Specification Resolution Procedure Specification for Bad Debt Subscribers	English	14 January 2010	11 February 2010	Deadline for Responses Extended to 4pm Thursday 4th March, 2010
	English	14 January 2010	11 February 2010
	English	14 January 2010	11 February 2010
	English	14 January 2010	11 February 2010
	English	14 January 2010	11 February 2010
	English	14 January 2010	11 February 2010

	Telecommunications Radio Frequency Spectrum
	Telecommunications Radio Frequency Spectrum

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Consultation Paper	English	10 December 2009	14 February 2010

	Repeal of the Determination on the Methodology for the Definition of Telecommunications Markets and Methodology for Determining Market Power

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Draft Determination	English	27 August 2009	27 September 2009

	Cost of Capital
	Cost of Capital

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Determination	English	3 November 2009
Responses	Batelco Lightspeed Zain
Draft Determination	English	20 July 2009	23 August 2009

	Consumer Protection Guidelines
	Consumer Protection Guidelines

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Draft Guidelines	English, Arabic	15 June 2009	15 July 2009

	Retail Tariffs Framework and Fixed line Services Rebalancing

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Retail Tariff Notification Regulation	English, Arabic	21 February 2010
Retail Tariff Notification Guidelines	English	18 February 2010
Notification Form	English	18 February 2010
Report on Retail Tariff Notification Framework Consultation	English	18 February 2010
Retail Tariffs Framework	English	31 May 2009	30 June 2009
Draft Rebalancing and Price Monitoring Policy	Corrigendum Paper	9 June 2009	30 June 2009
	Version 1.1	9 June 2009	30 June 2009
	English	31 May 2009	30 June 2009

	Telecommunications Infrastructure Deployment in New Property Developments

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Consultation Paper	English	27 May 2009	25 June 2009	Deadline for responses extended to 31 July 2009

	Arab Memorandum of Understanding on the Regulation of the International Mobile Roaming

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Consultation Paper	English Arabic	20 April 2009	10 May 2009
Draft Memorandum of Understanding	English Arabic	20 April 2009	10 May 2009
Presentation	English Arabic	20 April 2009	10 May 2009

Local Loop Unbundling (LLU)

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Access Order	English	14 September 2009
Determination of Dominance in Wholesale Broadband Markets	English	14 September 2009
Responses	Batelco – Draft Determination Batelco – Approach of Implementation Batelco – Study on regulating wholesale Broadband Lightspeed Kalaam Telecom Zain	14 September 2009
Consultation Cover Letter	English	26 March 2009	7 May 2009
Consultation on the Draft Determination of Dominance in Wholesale Broadband Markets	English	26 March 2009	7 May 2009
Consultation on the Draft Access Order	English	26 March 2009	7 May 2009
Consultation on the Study on the Regulation of Wholesale Broadband Markets	English	26 March 2009	7 May 2009
Consultation on the Appropriate approach for the implementation of Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) in the Kingdom of Bahrain	English	26 March 2009	7 May 2009

	Equipment Approval Regulation

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Draft Regulation	English Arabic	5 March 2009	18 April 2009

	National Security Requirements

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Consultation Report	English	24 December 2009
Consultation	English Arabic	25 February 2009	26 March 2009

Mobile Termination Rate Regulation

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Determination	English	1 February 2010
Position Paper	English	1 February 2010
Responses	Batelco Lightspeed Zain
Draft Statement	English	25 November 2008	1 March 2009
Draft Determination	English	25 November 2008	1 March 2009

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Competition Guidelines

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Competition Guidelines	English	18 February 2010
Report on Competition Guidelines Consultation	English	18 February 2010
Determination Repealing Methodology Determinations	English	18 February 2010
Consultation	English	4 November 2008	4 December 2008	Deadline for responses extended to 1 February 2009

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Number Portability

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Explanatory Document	English	14 October 2008	13 November 2008	Deadline for responses extended to 30 November 2008
Draft Regulation	English	14 October 2008	13 November 2008	Deadline for responses extended to 30 November 2008

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Migration of Telecommunications Frequencies

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Consultation	English	14 August 2008	10 September 2008

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Wireless Telecommunications Network Facility Sharing

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Consultation	English	11 August 2008	8 September 2008

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Decision on the Requirement to Register Subscriber Details of Prepaid Mobile Customers

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Consultation	English Arabic	9 July 2008	24 July 2008
Regulation	Arabic , English	31 July 2008
Amendment on the Regulation	Arabic , English	24 December 2008

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Regulation on Notification of International Roaming Tariffs by SMS

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Resolution amending regulation 1 of 2008	English Arabic	9 September 2009
Report	English Arabic	1 October 2009
Consultation on amending regulation 1 of 2008	English Arabic	5 May 2009	3 June 2009
Report	English	31 December 2008
Roaming SMS Regulation	Regulation No. 1 of 2008 Arabic , English	17 July 2008
Consultation	English Arabic	27 March 2008	24 April 2008

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Public consultation on a Draft Guidelines for Telecommunications Infrastructure Deployment

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Report on Consultation for Guidelines for Telecommunications Infrastructure Deployment	English	December 2008
The Guidelines for Telecommunications Infrastructure Deployment	English	December 2008
Consultation	English	25 March 2008	22 April 2008

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Public consultation on introduction of new Value Added Services licence

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Report	English,Arabic	9 July 2008
Consultation	English	19 March 2008	17 April 2008

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Public Consultation on Possible Changes to Batelco’s RIO RAO

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Correction Document	English			Please note that the deadline for responses to this consultation document is incorrectly noted in the document as being 5pm on 11 January 2007 The correct deadline for responses is 13 January 2008
Consultation	English	29 November 2007	13 January 2008

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Strategic and Retail Market Review

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Final Statement	English	3 June 2008
Determination of Significant Market Power	English	3 June 2008
Report on the responses received	English	3 June 2008
Request for Comments	English	28 February 2008	30 March 2008
Draft Determination of Significant Market Power	English	28 February 2008	30 March 2008
Draft Statement	English	28 February 2008	30 March 2008
Report	English	28 February 2008	30 March 2008
Responses	Batelco Cisco Friendi Mobile Mena Telecom Zain
Consultation	English	27 August 2007	7 October 2007

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Assignment of spectrum in the 1785-1805 MHz band

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Summary of the responses	English	31 July 2007
Request for comments	English	4 April 2007	2 May 2007

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Telecommunications Network Infrastructure

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Report	English , Arabic	30 March 2008
Consultation	English	8 May 2007	22 May 2007

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Assignment of spectrum in the 1785-1805 MHz band

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Request for comments	English	4 April 2007	2 May 2007

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TRA Work Plan for the Years 2007/2009:
The TRA Work Plan lists the projects the TRA is considering dealing with for the Years 2007/2009.

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Final Plan	English	21 May 2007
Report	English	21 May 2007
Plan 2007/2009	English , Arabic	11 Mar 2007	8 Apr 2007
Response Form	English , Arabic	11 Mar 2007	8 Apr 2007

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2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Frequency Licensing

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Regulation	Regulation 1 of 2006 English , Arabic	30 Jul 2006
Report	English , Arabic	30 Jul 2006
Consultation	English , Arabic	9 Jul 2006	20 Jul 2006

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The possibility of issuing additional mobile licenses

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Statement	English	13 May 2007
Report on responses	English	13 May 2007
Consultation	English , Arabic	3 Jul 2006	3 Aug 2006	Extended to 31 Aug 2006

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	Spectrum Policy and Planning: This document is issued by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) and Ministry of Transportation

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Final Spectrum Policy and Planning	English , Arabic	27 Jun 2006		Frequency Allocation Summary
Report	English , Arabic	27 Jun 2006
Executive Summary (Arabic Only)	English	22 Nov 2005	21 Dec 2005
Consultation	English	22 Nov 2005	21 Dec 2005

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Consumer protection

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Consultation on Unsolicited Bulk Messages	English	5 July 2009	5 August 2009
Second Consultation	English , Arabic	4 Feb 2007	4 Mar 2007
Report on the initial consultation	English , Arabic	4 Feb 2007
Simplified Version of the Consultation	English , Arabic	21 Jan 2006	15 Mar 2006
Consultation	English , Arabic	25 Jan 2006	28 Feb 2006	Extended to 15 Mar 2006

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Dominance in wholesale markets

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Determination	Determination 1of 2006 English , Arabic	22 Jan 2006
Report	English , Arabic	22 Jan 2006
Consultation	English , Arabic	27 Oct 2005	23 Nov 2005

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	Mergers and Acquisitions
	Mergers and Acquisitions

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Final Regulation	Regulation 3 of 2004 English , Arabic	28 Sept 2004
Report	English	28 Sept 2004
Draft Regulation	EnglishArabic	29 Aug 2004	12 Sept 2004
Report	English , Arabic	29 Aug 2004
Consultation	English , Arabic	20 Jun 2004	18 Jul 2004

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	Batelco's Cost of Capital: Batelco's Cost of Capital is to be used in subsequent calculations for overall operational costs for the provision of services.

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Determination	Determination 3 of 2005 English , Arabic	20 Nov 2005
Report	English , Arabic	20 Nov 2005
Consultation	English , Arabic	31 Aug 2005	28 Sept 2005
Determination	Determination 3 of 2003 English , Arabic	9 Aug 2003
Consultation	English	10 May 2003	7 Jun 2003

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	National Numbering Plan: The National Numbering Plan is designed to enable competing operators to configure their networks and to ensure a structured approach to the allocation of numbers in accordance with best international practice

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Updated Plan	English , Arabic	10 September 2008	\|	\|
Regulation	English , Arabic	10 September 2008	\|	\|
Public Notice	English , Arabic	10 September 2008	\|	\|
Report	English	22 Jun 2008	17 July 2008
Revised Plan	English	22 Jun 2008	17 July 2008
Consultation	English	28 Aug 2007	13 Sept 2007
Report of Responses	English	28 Aug 2007
Consultation	English , Arabic	20 Oct 2005	17 Nov 2005	Extended to 3 Dec 2005
Updated PlanV2	English , Arabic	26 Jun 2004
Plan V1	English	22 Sept 2003
Report	English	20 Jun 2003
Consultation	English , Arabic	27 Jan 2003	19 Mar 2003

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	Dominance in certain markets and the provision of Access services: This issue relates to dominance in certain markets and the provision of Access services pursuant to Section 57e of the Telecommunications Law. The TRA issued an explanatory brief , which should not be used for any purpose other than elucidation.

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Final Regulation on Access services	Regulation 1 of 2005 English , Arabic	30 April 2005
Second report on Access services	English	30 April 2005
Draft Regulation on Access sservices	English , Arabic	13 Feb 2005	5 Mar 2005
Report	English , Arabic	13 Feb 2005
Consultation	English , Arabic	26 May 2004	23 Jun 2004

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TRA Forward Plan:
The TRA Plan 2005/2006, lists the projects the TRA is considering dealing with in 2005/2006.

Document

View

Issue Date

Closing date

Comments

Plan 2005/2006

English , Arabic

5 Jun 2005

This document lists the projects the TRA is considering dealing with in 2005/2006.

Report

English , Arabic

5 Jun 2005

Responses

	Ministry of Industry and Commerce

	Bahraini Consumer Protection Society

	MTC Vodafone Bahrain

5 April 2005

The TRA published the responses as received by the respective parties. The responses reflect the views of their owners only.

Consultation

English , Arabic

22 Mar 2005

5 April 2005

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Mobile Phone Jammers:
sThis consultation seeks the views of respondents on the possible use of Jammers in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Document

View

Issue Date

Closing date

Comments

Consultation

English , Arabic

21 Mar 2004

18 April 2004

Final Regulation

Regulation 4 of 2004

English , Arabic

Nov 8, 2004

Jammers Application Form
English	Arabic

2nd Report

English , Arabic

Nov 8, 2004

Draft Regulation

English , Arabic

31st Aug 2004

14th Sept 2004

Report

English , Arabic

31st Aug 2004

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	Accounting Separation : The matter of Accounting Separation and associated Costing Methodologies puts forward the principles associated with accounting separation, as applied to Batelco and other individual licensees. The TRA issued an explanatory brief, which should not be used for any purpose other than elucidation.

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Final Regulation	Regulation 2 of 2004 English , Arabic	2 Aug 2004
Second Report	English , Arabic	2 Aug 2004
Draft Regulation	English , Arabic	21 April 2004		Extended to 20 May 2004
Consultation	English	9 Jun 2003	7 Jul 2003

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Carrier Pre-Selection

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Coments
Final Regulation	Regulation 1 of 2004 English , Arabic	13 Jun 2004
Second Report	English , Arabic
Final Regulation	Regulation 1 of 2004 English , Arabic	13 Jun 2004
Second Report	English , Arabic	25 Feb 2004	10 Mar 2004
Report	English , Arabic	10 Feb 2004
Consultation	English , Arabic	24 Dec 2003	21 Jan 2004

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	Local Loop and related facilities and services: This issue tackles the provision of access to the local loop for new operators. The TRA issued an explanatory brief , which should not be used for any purpose other than elucidation.

Document

Views

Issue Date

Closing date

Comments

Consultation

English , Arabic

1 Jun 2004

20 Jun 2004

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	Mobile Number Portability: This matter concerns the requirement for Mobile Number Portability between licenced Mobile Operators in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Position Paper	English	7 Sept 2003	7 Oct 2003

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	Retail Price Controls : The matter of Retail Price Controls concerns the scope and timing of retail price control of certain tariffs charged by Batelco and the rebalancing of tariffs as required. On 11 October 2003, further to the Consultation and in accordance with the TRA's public consultation process statement (ERU/ST/001) and associated regulation (ERU/RN/001), the TRA invites additional comments, particularly, the opinions of other interested parties in relation to the comments received from Batelco and MTC Vodafone that are published here. Views submitted will be considered by the TRA in drawing up its final determination on Retail Price Controls at the end of the consultation period, provided that comments and opinions are economically justified and are supported by appropriate data. Submissions and comments may be published by the TRA on its web site, unless the respondent provides a justified request for confidentiality. The closing date for additional comments, via consult@tra.org.bh or by post, is 7 days from the date of publication of these comments, i.e. 5.00pm 18th October 2003

Document

View

Issue Date

Closing date

Comments

Retail Price Controls submission, Batelco

English

Submitted on
4 Oct 2003

Retail Price Controls submission exhibits, MTC VF

Part 1 English
Part 2 English

Submitted on
4 Oct 2003

Consultation

English

9 Aug 2003

4 Oct 2003

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Dominance in Interconnection Markets

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Determination	Determination 4 of 2003 English , Arabic	9 Aug 2003
Second Consultation	English	2 Jun 2003	16 Jun 2003
Consultation	English	15 Mar 2003	29 Mar 2003

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	Quality of Service: The matter of Quality of Service concerns the availability, provision and quality of telecommunications services provided in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Reporting Forms	English	6 January 2010
Guidelines	English	16 October 2008
Regulation	English Arabic	11 Sptember 2008
Report	English Arabic	13 November 2008
Draft Regulation	English Arabic	14 May 2008	12 Jun 2008	-
Consultation	English	12 May 2003	21 Jun 2003	The closing date of comments was extended to 24 Jul 2003

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	Ownership Regulation: The matter of Ownership Regulation may have an impact on telecommunications licence holders in certain circumstances.

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Regulation	Regulation 2 of 2003 English , Arabic		29 Oct 2003
Consultation	English	02 May 2003	3 Jun 2003

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Consultation Process:

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Amending Regulation 1 of 2003	English, Arabic	17 June 2009	16 July 2009
Regulation	Regulation 1 of 2003 English , Arabic	10 Aug 2003
Statement	English	10 Aug 2003
Consultation	English	13 April 2003	18 May 2003

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	Methodology for determining Dominance and Significant Market Power: The Methodology for determining Dominance and Significant Market Power concerns the approach to be used by the TRA to determine whether a licensee occupies a dominant position and/or exercises Significant Market Power (SMP) in relevant telecommunications markets in Bahrain

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Determination	Determination 2 of 2003 English , Arabic	19 April 2003
English	19 Feb 2003	19 Mar 2003

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	Methodology for definition of Telecommunications Markets: The Methodology for definition of Telecommunications Markets concerns the development and implementation of a methodology for defining telecommunication markets in Bahrain that may be subject to specific regulation by the TRA.

Document	View	Issue Date	Closing date	Comments
Determination	Determination 1 of 2003 English , Arabic	19 April 2003
Consultation	English	19 Feb 2003	19 Mar 2003

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