FRiENDi Mobile launches MVNO service in Oman

FRiENDi Mobile, which claims to be the Middle East’s first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), has launched commercial services nationwide in Oman. The company offers services on the network of incumbent operator Omantel. Antti Arponen, CEO of FRiENDi Oman, said: ‘In a nutshell, FRiENDi mobile provides great prices, a high quality customer experience plus exciting and relevant services that sets us apart from the competition. As a company we have a special focus on the many people in Oman with friends and loved ones abroad, and we are proud to provide great prices and services for our customers, including customer service and a website in six languages which is a first for Oman.’ According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms database, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) announced in July 2008 that it had awarded Class II licences to five companies with the stipulation that they were to become MVNOs. The winners were Arab Link (bidding on behalf of FRiENDi Mobile), Injaz International, Kalam Telecommunications, Majan Telecom and Mazoon Mobile. The licences are valid for five years.