28/01/2021
TRA Initiative to Provide Fixed Internet Services to Villages and Rural Communities via Satellite 2020 (Afaq)
The goal of the initiative:
The initiative's aim is to cover villages and rural communities that have not been reached by any Internet services, via Satellite Internet services. Mainly after the Corona pandemic and what has resulted in an urgent need for Internet services. These services are needed to learn and work remotely. Consequently, an agreement between the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and Oman Broadband Company was signed to establish a telecommunications network in these areas. This network will be used to provide Internet services for villages and rural communities that lack any means of internet services, with direct funding by the government for the coming ten years.
Determining the Sites and targeted beneficiaries:
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority carried out field surveys to identify villages and communities that did not have any kind of Internet services in the Sultanate. Furthermore, all the requests received by the TRA were studied and the notes from their excellences the governors, members of the Shura Council, and citizens were taken into account. Considering of all appropriate facts and circumstances, a list of 598 villages was created. This list also includes 141 public schools that still did not have any kind of Internet services.
Sustainable Development Goals:
The United Nations has adopted sustainable development goals in the year 2015 as shown in the following chart:
Out of these goals, here are the goals that have been achieved through this initiative are:
- Goal 4: Quality Education: The initiative facilitated the possibility of distance learning for all members of society.
- Goal 9: Industry, innovation, and infrastructure: The initiative contributed to the development of the telecommunication infrastructure for all villages in the Sultanate.
- Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities: The initiative contributed to the improvement of the telecommunication services in rural villages, and thus it works on the sustainability of local communities in these rural villages.
- Goal 17: Partnership contract to achieve goals: a contract was signed with the Oman Broadband Company to implement the initiative, on the basis of government funding.
Leaving no one behind:
The initiative helped in the delivery of internet services to all rural villages which lacks internet services by any means. Thus, it contributed to narrowing the digital gap between cities and villages. This initiative will also contribute to gender equality. As the service in homes is a fixed wireless internet service. Therefore, all individuals in these rural villages of both genders will have the ability to use the internet and communicate with the outside world. This access to the Internet will improve the provision of public services to these villages. As the people of these villages will be able to use the e-Government services provided by the government without the need to leave their homes.
Implementation:
The implementation of the project was assigned to Oman Broadband Company. The OBB was given the task of establishing a communications network that would allow licensed operators to provide fixed internet services to villages and rural communities on a non-exclusive basis. For this project, satellite technology was chosen to provide internet services. The initiative was implemented in record time, as the project started in April 2020, and service delivery was completed in November 2020, only seven months later. On the other hand, the biggest challenge that was facing the initiative is the lack of time. A project such as this will require not less than two years in normal circumstances. However, due to the urgent need for Internet service in rural villages, and thanks to the cooperation of all stakeholders, the project was completed within a period of only seven months.
Innovation:
The satellite technology was chosen for the speed of delivery through this technology and the possibility of reaching the largest number of villages at the same time. Regardless of the distance or the geographical challenges. As other communication technologies require time to establish. For instance, connecting cables to homes or building new Mobile stations. The development in satellite technologies has made it feasible to use this technology and provide high-speed internet. Thus, providing good service for the beneficiaries.
Adapting with the Development of Satellites:
The satellite Internet service is not a new technology, except that it was used on a small scale due to the high cost. However, thanks to government to fund this initiative, and to the technological development that has occurred in Satellite technology using high-frequency bands. This has made the choice of satellite technology as the best rapid solution. It was the fasted technology to implement.
Evaluation:
The Internet service that was provided through the initiative has been evaluated from technical aspects through tests that were carried out by specialists from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. The results were good and showed an advanced level of service, where the service can be compared to (ADSL), the widely used fixed internet service.
