MVNO to offer 3G services

FRiENDi Mobile, one of five companies licensed to provide mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services in Oman, is set to commercially launch third-generation services, ITP.net reports. The company, which is based in the UAE, began nationwide operations in Oman in April 2009 and offers services on the network of incumbent operator Omantel. The firm’s new 3G service, dubbed ‘FRiENDi Mobile Internet’, has undergone a technical launch and will be officially inaugurated on 12 February. According to Mikkel Vinter, CEO at FRiENDi Mobile, the offering is the first mobile data package in Oman available on a monthly pay-as-you-go basis. He added that while voice services remain FRiENDi’s core business, data is becoming increasingly important and the company is keen to offer a ‘full portfolio’ of services to its customer base of almost 250,000 subscribers.