Research and Markets: Oman's TRA Expected to License a Second National Public Fixed-Line Network Operator This Year.

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c70120) has announced the addition of Oman Telecommunications Market Intelligence Report to their offering.

Each extensive ITI Market Intelligence Report includes the following sections: Economic, Social, Political, and Telecoms Indicators; key data presented in tabular form. Regulation; a summary/overview of the market and regulatory climate, followed by synopses of the regulator's powers and other competition or ministerial bodies to which it reports or with which it co-operates. A summary of the regulations in force, a list of differences in the types of available licences and a list of the licences issued. Market Indicators; the available data is presented in tabular form with commentary and graphics. Major Operators; contact data and company information, including ownership, background where relevant for pan-European carriers, licensed activities, scope of activities/services, recent major equipment contracts, summary of network status, references to major subsidiaries, joint ventures, and alliances. Major Manufacturers; contact data and company information including ownership, background where relevant, manufacturing & distribution activities, recent major equipment contracts, references to major subsidiaries, joint ventures, and alliances. Industry Associations; contact data and organisation information covering background where relevant, activities/objectives and references to members.

The telecommunications market in Oman is dominated by state-controlled incumbent operator, Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel). It is the sole licensed operator of public fixed-line telecommunications services, including local, long-distance, and international telephony, as well as data communications, value-added services, and Internet access services. Having launched a digital cellular network in 1996, the company was also the only mobile services provider in Oman until March 2005, when new entrant Nawras Telecom launched its offering.

Nawras won a tender for the second cellular licence in June 2004 and received the licence in February 2005. Omantel's cellular subsidiary, Oman Mobile, was given a formal cellular licence in February 2004. Both companies operate in the cellular market under a three-year period of exclusivity that will expire in February 2008. Currently, there is no schedule for the award of third-generation (3G) universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) licences in Oman. In the meantime, Oman Mobile is applying for additional 2G frequencies, most likely in the 1800MHz band. Nawras is relying heavily on a nationwide interconnection agreement with Oman Mobile and Omantel, allowing it to serve subscribers in areas of the country where its network has not yet been deployed. In late-2005, Nawras said it had launched 3G-style services over its network.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Oman (TRA) expects to license a second national public fixed-line network operator and a second national public data network operator in ""the near future"", but has yet to set a schedule for the offering of these licences. It is widely expected that some progress will be made in 2007.

As part of its agreement with the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerning the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, the government of Oman has completed the privatisation of Omantel. A 30% stake in the company was sold on the Omani stock market in June/July 2005, with 9% sold to specific pension and charitable funds. Foreign investors were not able to purchase Omantel shares at that time, but they could do so from the beginning of October 2005. There is a 49% cap on the level of foreign ownership in Omantel, although no single shareholder can presently hold more than 5% of the company's shares.

1. COUNTRY BACKGROUND
General Information
Economic and Social Data
Telecommunications Data

2. TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATION
Summary regulation
Regulatory bodies and division of responsibilities
Legislation
Licensing
Interconnection
Numbering
Other issues

3. COMMUNICATIONS MARKET INDICATORS
Comparison of Results with CMA Averages

4. MARKET OVERVIEWS
Fixed-Line Market
Mobile Communications Market
Internet Service Market

5. MAJOR OPERATORS

6. MAJOR MANUFACTURERS

7. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS

Companies Mentioned:
Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel)
Oman Mobile
Nawras

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c70120