Oman - Telecoms, Mobile & Broadband

Additional Information

One of the six GCC countries, Oman has a GDP per capita at a similar level to that of Saudi Arabia but with a much smaller population. Its mobile penetration is also very similar to that of Saudi Arabia. The telecoms market as a whole has been much less competitive but things are about to get more interesting.

Incumbent Omantel has had a monopoly of all fixed-line and Internet access services. In November 2008 alternative mobile operator Nawras, 55.6% owned by Qtel of Qatar, won a 25-year licence to build and operate domestic and international services, together with submarine cables and transmission stations. The licence also includes spectrum rights, valid for 15 years and possibly renewable for a further 10 years, to provide wireless broadband. Nawras will pay the same 7% royalties as does Omantel and was required to pay a one-time fee of OMR500,000.

Nawras has said it plans to build a latest generation fibre optic backbone across the country, in conjunction with WiMAX networks, and a new international gateway. However, its first priority for the two years to 2010 is to roll out its wireless broadband services.

Possibly linked to the lack of competition in the market, fixed-line penetration is low, even by regional standards, at only 10%. Internet user penetration is also low and ADSL broadband penetration is less than 2%.

The mobile sector is more exciting. Omantel and Nawras have roughly equal shares of the market but may find the ongoing environment challenging. Oman is the first country in the region to launch MVNOs. Five licences were awarded in June 2008 and in April 2009 Connect Arabia’s FRiENDI became the first operating MVNO in the Middle East. It was closely followed in May 2009 by Majan Telecom’s Renna. Both operators are targeted at the expatriate population with low recharge amounts and competitive international rates. Connect Arabia also partnered two radio stations to launch a second brand, ‘Halafoni’, in July 2009, this time targeted at young nationals and other Arabic speakers, with an emphasis on downloadable content. All MVNOs operate on Omantel’s network.

Oman was also earlier than most countries in the region to introduce mobile number portability, in August 2006.

The more competitive mobile market and the low broadband penetration rates may provide an opening for mobile broadband services through HSPA. Both mobile operators have launched services and have marketed them strongly with numerous special offers. Researcher:- Tine Lewis