Bahrain completes nationwide rollout of 5G network

Nearly 1.5 million people in the kingdom are now able to access the high-speed network

Bahrain's telecoms sector attracted more than $2 billion in investments between 2009 and 2019. Getty Images

Bahrain's Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications said it has completed the nationwide rollout of 5G services, making the high-speed network available to the local population.

Nearly 1.5 million people in the kingdom are now able to access 5G, the ministry said in a statement on Monday.

A 5G network promises an internet speed of up to 1.2 gigabits per second, which will gradually evolve to reach 10Gbps – more than 100 times faster than 4G.

"We are continually striving to ensure that the kingdom of Bahrain maintains its position among global leaders in this crucial sector," Kamal bin Ahmed, Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, said.

"This includes ensuring availability and deployment of commercial 5G services and enhancing readiness for next generation ICT services such as the Internet of Things and machine-to-machine communications."

Bahrain is also hoping to attract more investments within the ICT sector following the rollout of 5G.

The country's telecoms sector attracted more than $2 billion in investments between 2009 and 2019, according to the ministry. Bahrain’s ICT sector now accounts for nearly 3 per cent of gross domestic product.

Overall, 5G deployment promises to yield good returns for investors as the uptake of machine learning and the Internet of Things increases.

Operator-billed revenue from 5G connections globally is projected to reach $357bn by 2025, up from $5bn in 2020, according to a study by Juniper. The Juniper research also forecast that an average 5G connection could potentially generate 250 per cent more revenue than a normal cellular connection by 2025.

Regionally, telecom providers such as Etisalat, du and Omantel have begun rolling out 5G as they aim to provide high speed connectivity.

Last year, Etisalat, the UAE’s biggest telecoms operator, began offering 5G services to home users.