The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of Oman has finalised the procedures to award the country’s third mobile network operator (MNO) licence and will release the bidding documents on 15 November. The TRA revealed that its executive management has approved all the conditions and procedures for the award of the new wireless concession, a move which is aimed at improving the market’s competitive environment. ‘The TRA considers that the enhancement of competition in the mobile telecommunications services market will be of significant benefit to consumers and to the economy of the Sultanate, and is consistent with the General Policy of the government as well the TRA’s mandate to promote market entry under the Telecommunications Regulatory Act … The availability of a range of additional radio spectrum that could be deployed is expected to provide a multitude of mobile telecom services, particularly mobile broadband, to consumers,’ the regulator stated. Earlier this month, the regulator issued a decision urging existing service providers to improve the quality and speed of their networks and bring down prices, following a rise in complaints from consumers.
TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database notes that Oman is home to two fixed telephony and mobile network operators, majority state-owned Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) and Ooredoo Oman, in which Qatari incumbent Ooredoo holds a 55% stake. In addition, two MVNOs – FRiENDi mobile and Renna Mobile – are active in the wireless sector, while Awasr Oman is the latest company to enter the fixed broadband market, providing services over the fibre-optic network of state-owned infrastructure firm Oman Broadband Company (OBC).