MANAMA: Bahrain-based Mena Telecom has completed the deployment of its nationwide WiMAX network.

The company, a subsidiary of Kuwait Finance House (Bahrain), yesterday announced the launch of Mena WiMAX, a fourth generation (4G) wireless technology that will be used to provide a range of fixed and portable telecommunications services, including broadband Internet and telephony.

The service is truly portable and offers lightning fast speeds in addition to the same value for money Mena Telecom has been known to offer with all its products.

Bahrain has a long tradition of being the first in the region to introduce innovative telecommunications technology and Mena Telecom has effectively raised the bar and put Bahrain on the world map as the first country to adopt a nationwide WiMAX 802.16e solution, the company said.

KFH-Bahrain managing director and Mena Telecom chairman Abdulhakeem Al Khayyat said we are pleased that the telecom market continues to open up in the kingdom.

"Our aim is to develop the company into a major player in the telecom sector in Bahrain and the region and we are pleased with the progress and achievement of the company today in launching its nationwide WiMAX services."

Vice-chairman and managing director Abdul Razak Jawahery said with with Mena Telecom's WiMAX solution, customers will be able to connect to the Internet in minutes using a simple Plug 'n' Surf device that will not require any installation or setup, and our nationwide wireless high-speed coverage will offer advance services for residential customers and enterprises of all sizes for great value.