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Major initiatives on to strengthen Oman Broadband Company [Times of Oman](Times of Oman Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Muscat: Major initiatives have been taken to develop the activities of Oman Broadband Company (OBC), which will provide optical fibre networks for use by licenced operators for providing broadband services. The Ministry of Transport and Communications has floated tenders to appoint a consultant for organisational branding and office design for the state-owned company. Similarly, another tender was floated for taking office space for the company. The documents for organisational branding will be distributed till October 13 and the bids will be opened on November 11. OBC will develop its fibre optic cable network, along with Haya Water's network, and negotiations are going on at various levels between Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) and Nawras for providing the fibre optic cable on a lease basis. However, it is not clear yet the kind of business model the company is going to adopt. Formation of Oman Broadband Company is part of a national strategy to develop broadband Internet connectivity across the country as part of a long-term vision to create a knowledge-based economy. New strategy While formulating the new strategy, the authorities have taken into account issues like how effectively the country can develop its infrastructure and offer state-of-the-art Internet services. The national broadband strategy has three main objectives — to improve broadband service in the country in a cost-effective and competitive manner, encourage the use of broadband in the Sultanate and to develop the infrastructure of broadband in the long-term with state funding. Digital Oman Oman Broadband Company is trying to expand Internet access across Oman, besides helping in achieving the Digital Oman strategy and e-government in line with the long-term economic vision. The telecommunication sector, despite the developments seen in the last few years, is still far behind in broadband infrastructure. According to earlier reports, OBC has plans to provide affordable and fast broadband services to over 90 per cent of the Muscat Governorate subscribers by 2021. OBC plans to extend and strengthen the fibre optic network to cover even the remotest parts and to provide faster and cheaper broadband services. The Oman Broadband Company will work to extend fibre optic networks to major cities with large populations outside Muscat governorate for homes and commercial units. Rural areas receive the highest priority in the company's operational plans. Presently, 12.6 per cent of the population is using broadband services, which is expected to grow at a faster pace once OBC implements its national projects. However, an important challenge faced by OBC is the complex topography and large areas compared to the neighbouring GCC countries. The authorities are also taking several initiatives to develop a state-of-the-art eGovernment platform. As part of the new initiative, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry last year signed an agreement with Nortal Gulf Company from Estonia to develop the One Stop Shop (OSS), Business and Technology Transformation Project last year. The project is expected to improve business processes through providing over 66 eServices available through mobile applications or the website. To contact our reporter: [email protected] (c) 2014 Muscat Press and Publishing House SAOC Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |