Expensive internet links are holding back growth of the Gulf's telecommunications industry, according to the head of the Bahraini operator Batelco.
Relatively few undersea internet cables serve the Gulf, which means local telecoms operators pay more to connect their customers to the rest of the world.
This, in turn, means pricing of consumer broadband packages is high.
Rashid Abdulla, the chief executive of Batelco Bahrain, said this was the one of the main impediments to the industry.
"Getting out of the Gulf is still very expensive," he said. "Prices compared to many other countries are not really as low as they should be."
Fewer undersea internet cables serving the Gulf markets mean that regional operators must pay more for capacity on international data networks, driving up consumer prices, he added.
"We have got routes going outside the Gulf, but it is not really as many as it should be.
"With more competition, and more cables coming to the region, hopefully the prices will go down."
Mr Abdulla said home and mobile broadband connections were the main source of revenue growth for regional operators.
The pricing situation is likely to be eased with the activation of an additional internet cable connecting the Gulf region.
Gulf Bridge International (GBI), the Middle East's first privately owned regional cable operator, said on Sunday that its undersea cable was ready for use.
The cable, laid at a cost of US$445 million (Dh1.6 billion), connects India with Europe via the Gulf and Egypt.
Ahmed Mekky, the chief executive of GBI, said the company was exploring the possibility of extending the reach of its services.
"We have strong plans for the growth of GBI. Expanding eastward - to Asia, India - and expanding to East Africa is definitely in our plan.
"We will announce the plan at the right time," Mr Mekky said.
Other regional operators agreed that demand for broadband was boosting international data traffic.
"We are seeing huge demand for broadband," said Homoud Alkussayer, the vice president for wholesale at the Saudi operator STC.
"Every year we are seeing double the capacity. And I think we will continue to do so."
Ali Amiri, the executive vice president of carrier and wholesale services at Etisalat, said the UAE operator was also seeing more demand for data capacity.
bflanagan@thenational.ae
UAE SQUAD FOR ASIAN JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP
Men’s squad: Faisal Al Ketbi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Kathiri, Thiab Al Nuaimi, Khaled Al Shehhi, Mohamed Ali Al Suwaidi, Farraj Khaled Al Awlaqi, Muhammad Al Ameri, Mahdi Al Awlaqi, Saeed Al Qubaisi, Abdullah Al Qubaisi and Hazaa Farhan
Women's squad: Hamda Al Shekheili, Shouq Al Dhanhani, Balqis Abdullah, Sharifa Al Namani, Asma Al Hosani, Maitha Sultan, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Maha Al Hanaei, Shamma Al Kalbani, Haya Al Jahuri, Mahra Mahfouz, Marwa Al Hosani, Tasneem Al Jahoori and Maryam Al Amri
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site