MANAMA: Batelco has selected Aptilo Networks to enable carrier Wi-Fi for Bahrain Wi-Fi, a nationwide Wi-Fi network which will change the landscape for communication services throughout the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Batelco is using the Aptilo Service Management Platform™ (SMP), a state-of-the-art system to deliver and manage carrier-class Wi-Fi services. Aptilo SMP enables carrier Wi-Fi in a highly scalable platform, supporting Batelco’s rapid growth in rolling out Wi-Fi hotspots.
The nationwide Wi-Fi rollout has begun with a number of hotspots including The Bahrain International Circuit, Seef Mall Muharraq and the Juffair Restaurant area. Additional locations will be launched rapidly during 2016.
“Batelco’s effort to cover Bahrain with Wi-Fi demonstrates the company’s commitment in developing relevant Smart City solutions which help to maintain Bahrain’s leading position on the international market,” said Batelco Bahrain CEO Eng. Muna AlHashemi.
In the first major step for the project, Batelco provided Wi-Fi for the Bahrain International Circuit during the 2016 Formula One weekend, making it the first international circuit to provide free public Wi-Fi. Approximately 70,000 visitors connected to the Bahrain Wi-Fi network generating over one terabyte of Wi-Fi traffic.
Bahrain Wi-Fi will be available to all, providing a convenient service to Bahrain’s population and visitors. Any Wi-Fi-enabled device will be able to connect to the Bahrain Wi-Fi through a landing page and benefit from a limited daily complimentary data allocation. Users will then be directed to the Bahrain Wi-Fi portal, enabled by Aptilo SMP, with easy payment options to continue using the service. Batelco’s mobile customers will be automatically connected to the service whenever they enter one of the Wi-Fi hotspots.
“Offering carrier Wi-Fi services is an important step in making Bahrain one of the leading technology hubs of the region,” said Christian Jonsson, Director Sales, Africa and the Middle East, Aptilo Networks. “Batelco is on the forefront in delivering best-in-class technology and services.”
