The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has embarked on a project to bring telecoms services to 410 villages in unserved areas of Oman by the end of 2017, reports the Times of Oman. A total of 312 mobile base transceiver stations (BTS) will be rolled out in two phases: the first stage, which is already underway, involves 200 BTS and will be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2017. Under the second phase of the plan, the rollout of telecoms towers in the areas of Al Dhahira, North Al Batinah, Buraimi, Musandam and Muscat Governorate has already been approved, while other locations will be finalised in the near future.
Commenting on the development, Hamood Ahmed Al Yahyai, member of the Shura Council representing Wilayat Dank, said: ‘The villagers had to seek out other locations with telecom coverage to get a decent signal, but now that there are [base] stations it [will] be economically efficient for them. Now, they can save time, and instead of travelling, they can stay connected with the rest of the nation from the comfort of their homes.’