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MPs are calling for Bahrain to open its skies and infrastructure to 6G technology trials as early as next year.
The proposal is being led by Strategic Thinking Bloc president, Parliament’s interim financial and economic affairs committee chairman and Bahrain Chamber treasurer Ahmed Al Salloom, along with bloc spokesman MP Khalid Bu Onk, interim committee vice-chairwoman MP Zainab Abdulamir, newly elected public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman MP Hisham Al Awadhi and MP Mohammed Al Marafi.
They believe Bahrain’s compact geography, dense population and widespread use of digital services make the kingdom an ideal environment for testing how 6G performs in a real-world setting.
“Why should Bahrain wait for the world to launch 6G when we can offer the world a place to test it?” Mr Al Salloom said.
The initiative would seek to position Bahrain as a regional and international testing ground where telecommunications companies, technology developers and researchers could trial emerging 6G applications in a relatively contained but highly connected environment.
“Let Bahrain become the place where the world comes to see what 6G can actually do,” he added.
Bahrain is already laying the regulatory groundwork for the next generation of wireless technology, including spectrum planning and preparations linked to the future allocation and use of frequencies.
The MPs believe the kingdom’s size could be a major advantage, allowing new technologies to be tested across different environments without the logistical challenges faced by much larger countries.
Mr Bu Onk described the opportunity as a chance to turn Bahrain into a ‘living laboratory’ for future connectivity. He said the kingdom’s compact size could allow emerging technologies to be tested efficiently while giving Bahraini companies and specialists the opportunity to participate in their development.
The proposal comes as international preparations for 6G continue, with countries and technology companies working on standards, spectrum requirements and potential applications for the next generation of wireless networks.
Commercial deployment is expected between 2030 and 2035, according to relevant agencies.
Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam has referred the proposal to the public utilities and environment affairs committee for review.
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