Increased infrastructure-sharing of mobile towers in Oman
The launch of a third mobile network operator in the Sultanate of Oman in 2020 will increase competition in the mobile sector, with the current operators of Omantel and Ooredoo having a similar and sizeable market share. The telecommunications regulator agreed that the Vodafone Group, along with a local consortium of investors, could form the third mobile network operator, Oman Future Telecommunications (OFT).
In early 2020 the consortium agreed to lease mobile towers from Oman Tower Company (OTC), and this will allow them to enter the mobile market more quickly. OTC plans to build more mobile towers in Oman throughout 2020 and make these available for infrastructure sharing.
BuddeComm observes that Oman has established a progressive mobile sector which comprises substantial coverage of both 3G and 4G LTE networks. There have also been trials conducted, networks upgraded, and spectrum allocated, in readiness for 5G. The Regulator has allowed the major mobile operators, Omantel and Ooredoo the right to use a 100MHz 5G spectrum.
While Oman’s fixed broadband infrastructure penetration is considered low, it is being improved upon with the building of fibre-based networks as part of Oman’s National Broadband Strategy. By 2040 it is hoped that all homes and businesses will be connected to the national broadband infrastructure.
Oman has established itself as an important communications hub in the Middle East with access to numerous submarine cables including the recently announced 2Africa submarine cable, which should become available during 2023-2024.
BuddeComm notes that the outbreak of the Coronavirus in 2020 is having a significant impact on production and supply chains globally. During the coming year the telecoms sector to various degrees is likely to experience a downturn in mobile device production, while it may also be difficult for network operators to manage workflows when maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure. Overall progress towards 5G may be postponed or slowed down in some countries.
On the consumer side, spending on telecoms services and devices is under pressure from the financial effect of large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes. However, the crucial nature of telecom services, both for general communication as well as a tool for home-working, will offset such pressures. In many markets the net effect should be a steady though reduced increased in subscriber growth.
Although it is challenging to predict and interpret the long-term impacts of the crisis as it develops, these have been acknowledged in the industry forecasts contained in this report.
The report also covers the responses of the telecom operators as well as government agencies and regulators as they react to the crisis to ensure that citizens can continue to make optimum use of telecom services. This can be reflected in subsidy schemes and the promotion of tele-health and tele-education, among other solutions.
Kylie Wansink
Senior Analyst,
BuddeComm May 2020
Key developments:
MVNOs were introduced over the last decade and have captured a small market share.
Omantel launched an initial 5G network in late 2019.
The two existing mobile network operators (MNOs) were awarded 15 year licenses in 2019.
VoIP subscriptions are on the rise in Oman.
Oman is well positioned to be a technology hub in the Middle East as it is well located between Asia, Africa and Europe and has access to several submarine cable systems.
This report includes assessment of the global impact of COVID-19 on the telecoms sector.
Companies mentioned in this report include:
Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel); Oman Mobile; Ooredoo Oman; Oman Broadband Company (OBC); FRiENDi, Maja Telecom (Renna); Integrated Telecommunications Oman (TeO); Awasr-Oman; Oman Future Telecommunications (OFT) consortium, Vodafone Group, Oman Tower Company (OTC).
Key statistics
Country overview
Historical insights
Current insights
Regional Middle East Market Comparison
Introduction
Mobile and mobile broadband penetration
Fixed and mobile broadband penetration
COVID-19 and its impact on the telecom sector
Economic considerations and responses
Mobile devices
Subscribers
Infrastructure
Impact on Oman
Telecommunications market
Market overview
Market analysis
Regulatory environment
Historic overview
Revision of the telecommunication regulatory law – 2011-2015
Regulatory authority
Telecom sector liberalisation in Oman
ISP licences
Second fixed-line licence
Third fixed-line licence
Privatisation
Omantel restructure
IPO sale 2005
Further share sales
Interconnect
Access
Universal Service Obligation (USO)
Royalty fees
Competition issues
Market competitiveness report
Mobile regulatory issues
Second mobile licence
Third mobile licence
Reseller/MVNO licences
Roaming
MNP
Spectrum allocation
Mobile communications
Mobile market analysis
Oman’s 5G roadmap
Mobile statistics
General statistics
Mobile voice
Mobile data
Mobile broadband statistics
Mobile infrastructure
Towers
5G
4G
GSM, 3G
Major mobile operators
MVNOs
Mobile handsets
Fixed network operators in Oman
Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel)
Ooredoo Oman (previously Nawras Telecom)
Awasr
Telecommunications infrastructure
Overview of the national telecom network
Alternative infrastructure
National broadband strategy
International infrastructure
Submarine cable networks
Satellite networks
Broadband access market
Internet and broadband statistics
VoIP
Smart infrastructure
Smart cities
Smart grids
Digital economy
Data centres
Cloud computing
Appendix – Historic data
Glossary of abbreviations
Related reports
List of Tables
Table 1 – Top Level Country Statistics and Telco Authorities - Oman – 2020
Table 2 – Oman – GDP and inflation – 2014 – 2019
Table 3 – Oman – GDP real growth rate and inflation – 2020 - 2021
Table 4 – Growth of M2M mobile subscriptions – 2018 – Q1 2019
Table 5 – Oman - mobile subscribers and penetration – 2009 – 2024
Table 6 – Oman - mobile sector total ARPU – 2009 – Q1 2019
Table 7 – Oman - operators mobile market share by subscribers – 2012 – Q1 2019
Table 8 – Oman – total prepaid and post-paid subscribers – 2009 – 1H 2019
Table 9 – Oman – SMS messages – 2010 – Q1 2019
Table 10 – Oman – MMS messages – 2010 – Q1 2019
Table 11 – Active mobile broadband subscriptions – 2009 – 2024