Bahrain Internet Service Providers?

[Captain Over]

Looking to set up Cable (preferably) or ADSL with an ISP in BAH that is cheap AND reliable.
In the short-term, a dial-up ISP may also have to do.

Any suggestions on the above? (Prices and sign-up stories most welcomed, like "How long my hook-up took", etc. Thanks!)

:D

[saudipc-9]

Capt,
If Bahrain is anything like Saudi then you have a problem getting anything of any speed going. They have a firewall which slows everything down.
If there are any computer suks there then just go there and they will have ISP's that can get you hooked up pretty quickly via the telephone.
Prices should be about 30 cents Canadian an hour for the hook up plus your telephone bill.

Cheers

[Icarus]

Only one ISP in Bahrain - BATELCO.

Cable at 256K or 384K available at BD40 (US$100) & BD50 (US$125) a month. Dial-up (56k if you're lucky!) is BD8 (US$20) a month or a 'normal telephone charge' is available on a deciated number (BD0.021 per minute). Takes about a week or so for the process to reach insallation. Deposit of BD100 or a Sponsors guarantee letter is required for a dial-up connection.

Use dial up myself currently but am thinking of cable (called SpeedNet here) at 256K as downloads do bring the dial up bill very close to BD40 occasionally.

[Captain Over]

It was BAH in particular I was needing ISP info for, pc-9, but thanks anyhew. Who KNOWS where the road will lead to someday...so I'll file that for later use mebbe... :p

Icarus, much appreciated on the prices and info on BATELCO. Could you confirm that there are no firewall issues in BAH (as mentioned above for elsewhere)? Are there any upload / download caps in BAH that you know of on high-speed?? What about satellite subscription? (Just threw that idea out for thoughts...we will likely go cable there.) Lastly, when put up in the HOTAC for the first while, is there any way to access dial-up when using your own laptop? (I wonder what the surcharge in the hotel is...)


Thanks for the input so-far.
:D

[newswatcher]

Two firms offer ISP services to private individuals in Bahrain, almost certainly using Batelco infrastructure:

Gcc - http://www.gcconline.com/
and Computec - http://www.computec.com.bh/

[Icarus]

No real fire wall issues as far as I am aware.
As you would expect access to sites of certain natures is blocked.
Hotel will charge their normal rate for a local call which may differ by hotel, around BD0.035 per minute (i.e. 50% mark-up); you may need a new cable, although UK phone-jack is standard, the wiring is not quite the same so you might need one making up when you get here. If you already have an ISP & email account, why not see if your provider subscribes to a roaming service (GRIC dail is one example), then you can access your exisiting account(s) via a local telephone number initially before deciding what you want should you be in Bahrain long term.

[Captain Over]

Thanks for all the info, Icarus (and others). I've emailed the ISP's everyone gave and am awaiting info from them.

Looking forward to "hooking up" there soon!

:D

[sirwa69]

Captain Over

I have been using Batelco's Speednet service (ADSL 256k) for over a year now and have had very few real problems.

The letter below appeared in todays Gulf Daily News and I totally agree with the sentiments.



Well done Batelco!

GUESS what? Bahrain is a small island with a small population! Getting phone and Internet connectivity here is expensive! As an IT professional I can attest to this. I don't understand why people cannot understand this. Batleco's head of corporate affairs Mr Harry James has been very understanding and clear in answering readers questions.

In the four years I have lived here I have seen Batelco constantly slash its long distance rates and improve its Internet service. They have offered home ADSL service at very reasonable (for this tiny market) rate.

Look at the facts: a 256K ADSL connection here cost $106 (BD40) a month. The same rate in the states costs between $50-$70. The states has 288 million people, Bahrain around 650,000! I think this is a pretty good deal for Bahrain residents.

Yes, competition might help but remember every company operating here still has to pay for its data to leave the island.

I don't work for Batelco and I am not Bahraini but please lay off Mr James and Batelco they really are doing an excellent job!

James Smythe

[Captain Over]

Thanks for the info, "Sir"...that all seems reasonable. Looks like we'll be also joining their high-speed as soon as we get settled.

Cheers,
C.O.