A further two telecoms companies are looking to offer mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services in Oman, local newspaper the Times of Oman reports. According to Naashiah Al Kharusi, a member of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Awasif Company is seeking to acquire a licence for the provision of mobile reseller services, while Madakhil is looking to provide wireless telecommunication services for fishermen at sea. ‘Both companies have completed the necessary procedures of the TRA. Now, the companies are waiting for a final approval from the government,’ Al Kharusi noted. According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, the Sultanate is home to three national telecoms (Class I) licensees: incumbent Oman Telecommunications (Omantel); Omani Qatari Telecommunications Company (Nawras), in which Qatari incumbent Qtel holds a stake; and Sama Telecommunications (Samatel), which won Oman’s third telecom licence in February 2011. In addition, a total of five companies already hold concession to provide MVNO services, namely Connect Arabia (on behalf of pan-regional reseller FRiENDi Mobile), Majan Telecom (Renna), Mazoon Mobile, Injaz International and Samatel.
In other news, the Muscat Daily reports that the TRA has requested Omantel roll out a pilot telecoms services project in the remote Batinah region. The incumbent has been mandated to provide basic public telecom services and internet access in the area as part of the Universal Service Obligation (USO).