The CEO of incumbent telecoms operator Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) has announced the company plans to spend an unspecified amount on its 2G and 3.5G networks during 2009. Amer Al Rawas, speaking at the Arab Telecom and Internet Forum in Lebanon, stated: ‘We will expand our 2G network and increase the coverage of our 3.5G.’ Omantel launched its 3.5G network late last year and the telco plans to offer entertainment services for mobile phones such as mobile television this year. The CEO also said he expects some impact on Omantel from the current financial crisis, but not to the same extent as other telecoms companies in neighbouring countries.
According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms database, Omantel was the country’s largest cellco by subscribers at the end of 2008, with a wireless customer base of 1.71 million at the end of 2008. The figure represents 15.2% increase year-on-year, however, fourth quarter 2008 net additions stood at a two-year low of 28,000, compared to 45,000 in the same period a year earlier.