Worldspace Inc. announced Oct. 21 it received approval from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authorities of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to deploy a terrestrial repeater network in those countries. Worldspace plans to offer its subscription satellite radio service in these countries beginning in the first half of 2006.

The company said both countries represent attractive markets for satellite radio. UAE has a population of more than 4 million with a GDP per capita of about $17,000 and 1 million automobiles in service. Bahrain has a population of about 700,000 with a GDP per capita of $20,000 and 630,000 vehicles in service. Worldspace also noted that more than 75 percent of the population of these countries is expatriates, making the satellite radio service as an attractive “voice from home” offering.