The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the Kingdom of Bahrain has published a Position Paper setting out its regulatory treatment of license-exempt frequency bands. Issued on July 1, 2026 under reference LAD/0726/023, the paper draws on the amended Article 43 of the Telecommunications Law, which empowers the TRA to exempt certain frequency bands from licensing requirements. While not a binding regulation, the paper is intended to guide manufacturers, importers, service providers, and the public, and it may form the basis of future rulemaking. It applies to any user of radio equipment operating in Bahrain’s designated license-exempt bands.
Why Bahrain Is Formalizing Its License-Exempt Spectrum Position
The proliferation of short-range wireless technologies such as WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and LoRaWAN has made license-exempt spectrum central to IoT deployments, smart city infrastructure, and consumer electronics. The TRA notes that the ITU has identified spectrum bands suited to license-exempt use, and that national regulators worldwide have built frameworks around them. Bahrain’s Position Paper reflects that same direction, with policy objectives that include promoting efficient and shared spectrum use, lowering barriers to market entry, protecting licensed frequencies from harmful interference, and aligning with international standards.
Non-Interference, Non-Protection Basis for License-Exempt Devices
Under the framework, license-exempt devices operate on a non-interference, non-protection basis. Users must not cause harmful interference to licensed services, are not entitled to protection from interference caused by others, and must cease operation if the TRA determines that interference is occurring. No individual spectrum license or usage fee applies, provided all technical conditions in the TRA’s Technical Specifications (Requirements for Type Approval) document are met.
Approved Uses: WiFi, Bluetooth, PMR446, and Receive-Only Services
The Position Paper lists examples of approved license-exempt applications, including WiFi devices operating in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz ISM bands, along with Zigbee, Bluetooth, and other low-power short-range devices. It also covers wireless terminal equipment operating within licensed networks, such as mobile handsets, satellite terminals, tablets, and customer premises equipment. Private Mobile Radios in the 446 MHz band (446.0063 to 446.20625 MHz) are permitted at a maximum power of 5 watts on the same no-interference, no-protection basis, and receive-only public services such as GPS, satellite TV, and radio receivers are included as well.
Type Approval, Enforcement, and What Stakeholders Should Expect
All radio equipment intended for use in license-exempt bands must be type-approved by the TRA unless specifically exempted, and any entity offering public wireless services still needs the appropriate service license. Personal imports for private use are exempt from formal type approval. The TRA has confirmed it will continue to monitor spectrum usage and can act where license-exempt operations cause harmful interference or breach the framework, with enforcement measures ranging from warnings to equipment confiscation and fines. Device manufacturers, importers, and service providers operating in Bahrain should review their product certification pathways against the TRA’s current Technical Specifications to confirm ongoing compliance.
For this article’s source information and any product certification guidance, please contact Global Validity.
Quick Country Facts
Bahrain
Certification Body: Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA)
Certification Type: Mandatory
License Validity: 36 Months
Application Language: English
Legal License Holder: Manufacturer
In-Country Testing Requirement: Testing Not Required
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