Vodafone gets the license to become the third operator in the Sultanate of Oman. Vodafone operates networks in 22 countries and will now compete with the incumbent Omantel and Ooredoo in Oman.
Vodafone is already in operation in neighboring Qatar, where it is cooperating and competing with Oorredoo. Ooredoo is the second operator in Oman. With the entry of Vodafone to the Oman market, Oman mobile users get more options to avail of enhanced services. License to Vodafone was granted by the royal decree in Oman.
Vodafone owns and operates networks in 22 countries and has partnerships with other operators in 48 further countries.
Omantel, originally known as Oman Telecommunication Company, is the state-owned telecommunication service provider in the Sultanate of Oman. Qatar Telecom, later renamed Ooredoo is also actively involved in the Oman market.
Oman broadband company, which was derived out of Omantel and the utility company Haya Water, has become a special vehicle for boosting broadband intake in the country. Vodafone’s entry will help the deployment of mobile broadband and thereby increase broadband penetration in the country.
The presence of multiple players in a market will add flavors to an otherwise less active telecom market. Telecom companies will offer attractive packages and services, in order to draw more subscribers towards them. When subscribers get options, service providers become more vigilant and lead to reasonable pricing of the services.
Multiple service providers lead to innovations and the introduction of the latest telecom services to a market. It will also create job opportunities for local people while making the market more dynamic.
Vodafone Oman will be represented by Oman Future Communications Company. Sayyid Hamad bin Ahmed Al Busaidi, chairman of Oman Future Communications Company (Vodafone Oman), said that the royal decree “represents a significant step into the future of the telecommunications sector in the sultanate”.
Diego Massidda, CEO of Vodafone Partner Markets, added: “The strategic partnership between Oman Future Telecommunications Company and Vodafone ensures that Vodafone Oman receives the right infrastructure and advanced technologies. “Through partnerships and projects, especially with small and medium enterprises, the local community will also benefit from Vodafone’s global expertise.”
Pursuant to the partnership between the Oman Future Telecommunications Company and Vodafone, the third telecom operator will join Vodafone Partner Markets, which provides access to a variety of special Vodafone services, while Vodafone Group will not own a share of the company’s capital.
Shareholders of Oman Future Telecommunications Company include many Omani institutions such as government pensions and investment funds, as well as a group of private investors.
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