Batelco in Bahrain has signed a new bi-lateral GPRS Roaming Agreement with Hong Kong telecoms company, Hutchison Telecommunications, allowing Batelco Mobile users who are traveling to Hong Kong the ability to stay in touch with colleagues, family and friends via a host of extra mobile services including pictures, video clips, email and access to the Internet.
Batelco’s Freetime and Valuetime (postpaid) mobile customers who have MMS enabled handsets with MMS/GPRS settings can already use the full service while traveling to a range of popular destinations including Kuwait (Wataniya), the UAE (Etisalat), Singapore (StarHub), the Philippines (Globe Telecom & Smart), the UK (O2) and the USA (Cingular). Now Hong Kong (Hutchison) has been added to that list.

The service, which went live last week week, forms part of Batelco’s commitment to ensuring that its mobile customers are among the most ‘connected’ around the globe. Batelco Mobile users can now make and receive calls and use a raft of additional services in 105 countries through agreements with 256 other mobile operators as well as use MMS/GPRS roaming facilities in a raft of popular destinations.

“We are delighted to provide our customers with this addition to our comprehensive roaming service,” said Hamza Ali, Senior Manager - Mobile Services at Batelco. “Whether they are in Hong Kong for business or holidays, our new service will change how customers communicate while roaming. Whether it’s surfing the net for news from a boat in the middle of Hong Kong’s renowned harbour, sending pictures of the children home from a market shopping expedition or checking emails via their mobile phone from a meeting room in the financial district, Batelco is making communications even more convenient and enjoyable for all segments of our market.”
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