Bahrain's telecommunications company, Batelco, is to lose its monopoly as the Gulf country opens its telecom market to outsiders this year, reported the Gulf Daily.
The move was announced Sunday by Crown Prince, Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
"Consumers will be the main beneficiaries of the move," al-Khalif said.
At present, Batelco is the only company providing telecommunication services in Bahrain.
"This is a monopoly and we are against monopolies."
Work will begin this year to bring new companies to the market, he added.
Batelco was established in 1981 as a Bahraini shareholding company.
Batelco's shareholders include the Bahraini government, leading financial and commercial organizations, and Bahraini citizens -- Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
