TRA to issue resale licences

Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is inviting applicants to bid for licences to re-sell basic public mobile communications services in the country, reports the Oman News Agency. Concessionaires will buy airtime from existing cellcos Nawras and Oman Mobile at wholesale rates, then re-sell it at retail rates. The TRA said it will issue an ‘infinite’ number of licences, but applicants must meet certain technical and financial requirements. The regulator hopes the move will lead to cheaper calls. According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms database, Oman’s mobile market was home to over 2.3 million subscribers at the end of September 2007, with state-owned Oman Mobile taking an approximate 61% share.