BizBahrain November 2016

Telecom
Seminar on the Impact of
Technology held
Batelco hosted a Labour Market
Observatory (LMO) seminar at
Batelco’s Staff Centre in Hamala. It focused
on the LMO’s efforts to research how
technologies impact Bahrain’s Labour
market and was held under the theme
of the Impact of Technology on the
Workplace: Implications for Education and
Training. The event featured a keynote
speech by Geoff Stead, a world thought
leader on how new technology can be used
to enhance learning and communications.
The seminar was opened by Batelco
Head of Human Resources and Union
Relations Shaikh Bader Al Khalifa who
welcomed the invited participants that
were representing a number of the
Kingdom of Bahrain’s education and
training authorities and establishments.
Following the speeches, the attendees
formed small working groups to further
discuss the ways that education and
training should evolve in line with the
evolution of technology in the workplace.
Zain releases Q3 Financial
Results
Zain Bahrain announced its results
for the first nine months of 2016. The
operator posted a net profit of BD3.05
million (US$8.07 million) for the ninemonth
period compared to BD3.41 million
(US$9.02 million) for the corresponding
period in 2015, representing a reduction
by 10.5%.
For the three months to September
2016, the net profit amounted to BD1.20
million (US$3.17 million), as Zain Bahrain’s
customer base edged closer to the one
million milestone number. This third
quarter net profit is a 10.4% dip from the
BD1.34 million (US$3.54 million) earned
during the same period last year, but a 30%
HE Shaikh Ahmed bin Ali Al Khalifa
Chairman, Zain Bahrain
jump from the BD926,000 (US$2.45 million)
earned in the second quarter of 2016 due
to an increase in revenue. The company’s
EBITDA margin was relatively stable at a
healthy 37.4%.
Commenting on the financials,
Zain Bahrain Chairman, His Excellency
Shaikh Ahmed bin Ali Al Khalifa,
said: “We recorded a total of 969,000
customers at the close of the third
quarter, a 19% surge from 814,000 at
the same time last year, on the back
of continued investment in our 4G
LTE network, the most technically
advanced in Bahrain, and the bringing
to market of innovative new products.
We are pleased to report these record
breaking subscriber numbers despite an
exceedingly challenging market. We are
confident that our focus on excellence,
innovation and best in class customer
experience will continue to create a
superior service for our customers and
increased value for shareholders.”
Batelco achieves Avaya
Platinum Certification
Batelco, Bahrain’s leading digital
communications solutions provider,
has been awarded the Platinum
Certified Partner status by Avaya.
This certification by Avaya recognizes
Batelco’s commitment, investment,
experience and also its dedication to
customer satisfaction.
Batelco is now an authorized Service
Provider at the Platinum certification
level for Avaya Products and Solutions.
In addition to its recognition for
expertise in solution sales, design,
implementation and advance
troubleshooting, Batelco has also earned
Solution Expert Specializations in
Enterprise Unified Communications,
Mid-Market Unified Communications
and Networking.
Furthermore, Avaya has also
awarded Batelco with the ‘Partner in
Customer Excellence’ accolade, based on
Batelco’s superior customer satisfaction
as indicated by a high score achieved in
a customer survey.
Batelco Bahrain CEO Eng. Muna
Al Hashemi said that Batelco has an
ongoing commitment in providing the
best-in-class solutions for its customers
to support their efforts to grow and
optimise their businesses.
“To earn the Platinum certification,
Batelco was required to meet a number
of competency requirements set forth
by Avaya including service, support,
customer satisfaction and networking.
This would not have been possible
without the diligent efforts of many
teams at Batelco who continue to
prioritise the requirements of our
business customers,” she said.
Batelco Chief Marketing Officer,
Mike Stanford, said that the Platinum
certification authorises Batelco to
offer design services and support
Muna Al Hashemi
CEO, Batelco
for numerous business systems and
associated peripheral equipment, to end
user companies.
“The Avaya Platinum certification
is an industry recognized accreditation
which indicates that Batelco has met
rigorous criteria to ensure superior
technical competency and also has the
ability to deliver best-in-class customer
service and support,” added Mr. Stanford.
62 November 2016