Philip Marnick

Philip Marnick, since January 2022 has been the General Director of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), in Bahrain. He is also a Board Member of the International Institute of Communications.

Bahrain is one of the most advanced telecommunications and digital markets in the world with a regulatory regime firmly based on competition. Philip’s role covers all aspects of telecommunications and digital regulation, helping to ensure that the TRA remains a leading regulator and that Bahrain remains a centre of innovation. The TRA ensures Bahrain remains one of the best-connected places in the world while supporting the Kingdom’s strategic objectives.

Before assuming his role at the TRA, Philip was the Group Director of Spectrum at Ofcom in the UK, and a member of Ofcom’s Senior Management Team, where he led on all aspects of UK national and international spectrum management. Philip has worked in the telecommunications sector for over 40 years, with extensive international experience. Philip has chaired and been a member of many international groups including chairing the EU’s RSPG. He has served in senior executive positions in technology, operations and strategy. Philip has worked in both start-ups (from inception to sale) and major corporations, in firms such as UK Broadband, O2, Orange, BT, J-Phone in Japan (now Softbank Mobile), Extreme Mobile, and SpinVox (now Nuance).

From analogue to 5G, he has been involved with every mobile generation. Throughout his career he has been at the forefront of industry developments – in fixed, mobile, and digital. He worked on the design and deployment of mobile networks and been involved in the development of new technologies and standards. This has included developing and launching innovative products such as the first camera phone and photo messaging service, as well as mobile internet and hosted voice services.