Bahrain's telecoms regulator wants to boost domestic competition by cutting interconnection and wholesale fees charged by former monopoly Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) to other operators.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has proposed reducing Batelco's fixed-line wholesale charges by between 2 and 26 percent and mobile interconnection charges by up to 70 percent, the regulator said in a statement.

"A sensible wholesale offer to OLOs (other licensed operators) is a key regulatory instrument supporting competition and choice in the telecommunications sector," said Mohamed Bubshait, TRA general director.

"The charges ... allow Batelco to earn a fair and reasonable return on its investment."   

The draft order is open for public consultation, which closes on December 28. Units of Kuwait's Zain and Saudi Telecom Company  also offer mobile services in Bahrain. - Reuters