Our History


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Our

History 

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Setting the Scene

The telecommunications market in the Sultanate of Oman is one of the most vital sectors to the Omani economy. It is a national asset which contributes to society, to business and to government. Since the blessed Renaissance in 1970 the market has evolved in line with the national development vision set in place by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and implemented through His Majesty’s Government.

In 2002, the Telecoms Act was issued by Royal Decree 30/2002 which established the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. This set the Omani telecoms strategy on the right path for development, and since then, a number of significant milestones have been achieved in the improvement of services, prices, increased consumer choices, and improved performance of the sector as a whole. Competition has helped in the creation of new jobs, fuelling economic growth, improving quality of life, health and education for the citizens and residents of Oman.

2019
  • Strategic Partnership between Oman Future Company and Vodafone to introduce the Third MNO in the Sultanate.
  • Launch of the ENTRADA System which is an experimental Big Data platform specifically developed for DNS Traffic Analytics for Trends and Threat Intelligence, in cooperation with Sultan Qaboos University (SQU)
  • Awarding Spectrum Rights for 5G in the Frequency Band 3.5 GHz to the licensed mobile operators in Oman
  • Announcement of Oman’s 5G Roadmap
  • Completion of Reference Access & Interconnection Offer based Agreements Implementation
  • Migration of Friendi Mobile to Ooredoo Network
2018
  • The Government established Oman Future Company, Oman Tower Company and Oman Satellite Company.
  • The Government Drafted a National Strategy for ICT sector in replacement of the Public Policies.
  • Publication of Wholesale offers by the dominant licensees in the telecom sector.
  • Allocation of 3.4 GHz to the Mobile Network Operators including Third MNO.
  • Oman Broadband Company granted a class I fixed license.
2017
  • TRA’s Satellite Radio Monitoring Station started its services.
  • TRA established a National Team to develop a strategic plan for employing 5G mobile applications in the Sultanate.
  • Completion of Telecom coverage assessment for 3900 villages all over the sultanate.
  • TRA initiated a transitional plan to move toward adopting IPV6 addressing requirements.
2016
  • TRA issued regulation in the Quality of Services in the Telecom Market.
  • The competition Framework completed for the telecom sector by issuing the relevant regulations in Interconnection, Price Control & Accounting separation.
  • TRA published Memorandum of understanding for the Third Mobile Network Operator.
2015
  • TRA allocated 800 MHz & 2600 MHz to Omantel & Ooredoo to enhance the provision of Mobile Broadband services.
2013
  • Madakhil Investment granted Class I Maritime License
  • Connect Arabia International issued Class I International Gateway License
2012
  • The Government issued Second Telecom Liberalisation Policy.
  • Awaser Oman granted a Class I Fixed License.
  • New Postal services Act was issued and TRA was assigned to regulate the Postal services sector in the Sultanate.
2011
  • Samatel (TeO) granted a Class I International Gateway license.
  • TRA undertook a restructuring process; a new Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer were appointed.
  • TRA issued a Class III license for Regent Middle East Private Networks for Micro-Terminals
2010
  • Omani Qatari Telecommunication Company launched a fixed communications service.
  • ViaCloud granted a Category II license to sell mobile services.
  • TRA issued a Class III license for Azian Communications For Private Networks for Micro-Terminals VSAT
2009
  • Second fixed public telecommunications services licence was awarded to the Omani Qatari Telecommunication Company.
  • TRA issued the Universal Service Obligation policy and its implementation strategy.
2008
  • The Government approved the second Telecom Liberalisation Policy
  • TRA issued five Class II licences for the provision of mobile re-sale services.
2007
  • TRA invited internet service applicants and mobile re-sale services in an effort to introduce more competition in the Sector.
2006
  • TRA introduced Mobile number portability in the sector.
  • The government signed Free Trade Agreement with USA.
2005
  • The Omani Qatari Telecommunications Company granted a class I in providing Mobile public telecommunication services.
2004
  • The Omani Telecommunication Company granted two class I licenses, one for provision of Fixed public telecom services and second for Mobile public telecom services.
2003
  • The Government issued First Telecom Liberalisation Policy.

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