Bahrain TRA Fixed Link Spectrum Policy Update 2026

Bahrain: TRA Finalizes Fixed Point-to-Point & Point-to-Multipoint Spectrum Policy

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the Kingdom of Bahrain has finalized its updated regulatory position for Fixed Point to Point Links (P-P) and Point to Multi Point systems (P-MP). The instrument is a consolidated Position Paper (Ref LAD 0626 013), issued 23 June 2026 and published on the TRA website on 29 June 2026, following the Authority's public consultation on the subject.

The Paper draws the 2011 Policy, the 2017 Position Paper, the 2018 Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Public Notice, and the 30 January 2024 Position Paper into a single reference. It restates the core rule a Frequency Licence is required to operate any microwave or millimetre wave fixed terrestrial link under Articles 24 and 43 of the Telecommunications Law and layers on updated band decisions, channel arrangements, minimum path lengths, and technical limits aligned to ITU, ECC/CEPT and ETSI references.

Inside the Bahrain TRA fixed link spectrum policy update

The most consequential change is a hard stop on new assignments in two band ranges, alongside a formal identification of bands reserved for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT).

No new Fixed Service assignments will be permitted in:

• 6.425 – 7.125 GHz (upper 6 GHz)

• 39.5 – 40.5 GHz

  
  

For these two ranges, only existing P-P links remain in scope, and they will be considered for renewal at the TRA's sole discretion renewal is not automatic or guaranteed. Frequency users are encouraged to migrate to alternative bands.

Separately, the Paper introduces Annex 3(a), which identifies the following bands for IMT within the Fixed Service allocation, with a possible future migration plan for P-P to vacate them:

IMT-identified band (GHz)	Reference
6.425 – 7.125	Resolution 220 (WRC-23)
24.25 – 27.5	Resolution 242 (Rev. WRC-23)
37 – 43.5	Resolution 243 (Rev. WRC-23)

The Authority states it will reassess IMT spectrum demand roughly every 3–4 years (or earlier), and that assignments in the identified bands may be limited.

Updated technical framework

Beyond the band decisions, the Paper refreshes the technical baseline that P-P and P-MP deployments must meet:

• Annex 1: Radio frequency channel arrangements across the P-P bands (6 GHz through 94 GHz), referenced to ITU-R F-series Recommendations, ECC and CEPT/ERC decisions. This includes the 60 GHz range (57–66 GHz, ITU-R F.1497), which appears here as a standard high capacity P-P channel plan.

• Annex 2: Minimum Path Lengths (MPL) per band, applied to both new and existing assignments; the MPL rule does not apply above 39.5 GHz.

• Additional performance parameters: e.i.r.p. and power limits, ATPC conditions, ICNIRP radiation limits, radio-astronomy protection under RR 5.149, and ETSI EN 302 217-2-2 characteristics for coordinated links; P-MP systems are directed to ITU, ETSI and 3GPP specifications.

What this means for manufacturers

For equipment makers, importers and network operators serving Bahrain, the practical takeaways are concrete:

• New builds must avoid the closed bands. Any P-P or P-MP design that assumes new spectrum access in 6.425–7.125 GHz or 39.5–40.5 GHz is no longer viable in Bahrain the TRA will not issue new assignments there. Redesign around the open bands in Annex 1.

• Installed base is protected but not indefinitely. Existing links in the closed bands may keep operating and may be renewed, but renewal sits entirely at the TRA's discretion. Plan a migration path rather than assuming continuity.

• IMT-identified bands carry migration risk. Even where P-P remains permitted (e.g., parts of 24.25–27.5 GHz and 37–43.5 GHz), the IMT identification signals these bands could be re farmed. Treat them as medium term, not long term, spectrum.

• Design to the referenced standards. Channel raster, MPL, antenna performance, cross polar discrimination, availability targets and power limits are all specified. Non products will not clear frequency assignment even if otherwise functional.

Certification impact summary

Requirement	Status under the updated Paper	What it affects
Type Approval	Mandatory — all deployed equipment must be Type Approved under Bahrain's Type Approval Regulations	Market access for every P-P/P-MP radio
Frequency Licence	Mandatory per Arts. 24 & 43; first-come, first-served via the designated portal	Right to operate any given link
Closed bands (6.425–7.125 / 39.5–40.5 GHz)	No new assignments; existing renewable only at TRA discretion	Product roadmaps, band plans
IMT-identified bands (Annex 3a)	Permitted where applicable, but flagged for possible migration	Long-term spectrum planning
Technical conformity	ITU-R F-series channel plans, MPL (Annex 2), ICNIRP, ETSI EN 302 217-2-2, 3GPP for P-MP	Assignment approval, coordination
Instrument type	Position Paper (operative now); bespoke Regulation possible later	How the rules may harden over time

Timeline and required actions

Key dates

• 2011 / 2017 / 2018 / 2024: Prior policy instruments now consolidated (2011 Policy; 2017 Position Paper, 25 Dec 2017; 2018 FWA Public Notice for 27.5–29.5 GHz; 2024 Position Paper, 30 Jan 2024, Ref LAD/0124/004).

• 23 June 2026: Issue date of the consolidated Position Paper (Ref LAD 0626 013).

• 29 June 2026: Published on the TRA website; effective as the TRA's operative position.

• 30 November (each year): Deadline to notify the TRA of any cancellation or modification of existing annual P-P Frequency Licences for the following renewal cycle.

• Every 3–4 years (or earlier): TRA reassessment of IMT spectrum demand.

  
  

Required actions for licensees and manufacturers

1. Audit your Bahrain link inventory against the two closed bands (6.425–7.125 GHz, 39.5–40.5 GHz) and against the IMT-identified bands in Annex 3(a).

2. Re-plan new deployments into open Annex 1 bands; do not file new assignment requests in the closed ranges.

3. Build a migration plan for any existing links in closed or IMT-identified bands, given discretionary renewal and possible re farming.

4. Confirm Type Approval for all equipment before deployment, and verify conformity to the updated channel arrangements, MPL and power/e.i.r.p. limits.

5. Diarize the 30 November cancellation/modification notification deadline for annual P-P licences.

6. Coordination-dependent links: allow extra lead time international coordination falls under ITU Radio Regulations and bilateral agreements, outside the standard 10 working day target.