- Oman has decided to cancel bids for the country’s third mobile licence.
- Instead, the license will be awarded to a consortium of a local company owned by local investment funds and a 'global partner.'
- The statement issued by the Omani Ministry of Transport and Communications did not give details on when it would award the licence.
Oman has decided to cancel tenders for the country’s third mobile licence and award the license to a consortium of a local company, owned by local investment funds, and an international operator.
The decision comes in bid to enhance the role of the country's investment funds and enable them to contribute to the growth of the national economy.
- Etisalat Joins Zain, STC In The Race For Oman’s Third Mobile License
- Omantel Buys 10 Percent Stake In Zain Group For $846 Million
The Omani Ministry of Transport and Communications said in a statement that it had instructed the country's Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) to cancel the bid. The Ministry said it will work through the TRA to implement the new instruction as of today, October 18, 2017, and will follow up until the issuance of the licence for the new company.
The Ministry did not give details on the local consortium or when the TRA would award the third licence.
This decision comes in light of the efforts exerted to strengthen the telecommunications networks in the Sultanate and provide high quality services for citizens to cope with modern technologies and steady population growth.
The new operator will compete with Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) and Ooredoo Oman, owned by the Qatari Group, Ooredoo.
The article has been adapted from its original source.
