A third mobile services provider will be ready to start offering its services in Oman next year, according to Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technology.
Responding to a tweet, the Ministry said, “We hope that the third operator will be ready to start providing services during 2021.”
Last year, Oman Future Telecommunications Company signed a strategic partnership agreement with Vodafone Group to establish the third mobile operator in the Sultanate.
At that time, Vodafone Partner Markets Chief Executive Diego Massidda said: “I am delighted to start this strategic partnership with OFT, and I look forward to developing this new network operator and Oman’s digital economy. I am confident that this will build into a strong, lasting relationship that will benefit customers of both companies.”
Fahad Al Busaidi, Managing Director of Itqan Tech Development, which is the leading entity of the 3rd mobile operator consortium - OFT, commented: “We are delighted to start our strategic partnership with Vodafone, as part of our digital transformation journey in Oman. Undoubtedly, the launch of the Vodafone brand in Oman will be the most significant event in the telecoms market over recent years.
Oman’s 6.3 million mobile subscribers are currently served by two mobile network operators, Omantel and Ooredoo. The arrival of a third operator will increase competition, driving down prices for consumers and expedite the rollout of next generation connectivity.