27/07/2022

Public Consultation on New Licensing Framework for Telecommunications

Details
Brief:
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) aims to update the regulatory framework to go in a line with the Sultanate`s strategy in simplifying the procedures, to attract investing & to enhance competition. TRA has started reviewing telecommunications service licensing framework stipulated on the Telecom Act, where Article (20) states that No person is permitted to either establish or operate a Telecommunications system, nor provide telecommunications services, unless after obtaining a license from the Authority. Article (21) stipulates the number of public telecommunications services licenses categories. 
 
Therefore, in order to keep pace with the rapid development in the telecommunications sector, it is important that telecommunications licensing framework should be in accordance with the best international practices that contribute in the development of this vital sector. As a result, TRA is announcing a public consultation for the amendment of telecom services licensing framework based on the suggestion provided in the public consultations document.
 
TRA invites & urges all interested parties to provide their written comments & remarks on the consultancy document.
 
The Project Objective:
1. Develop the telecommunications services licenses framework to remove challenges that stand against obtaining telecommunications licenses.
2. Speed up licensing application procedures
3. Prepare a new license form for the current licenses
4. Review licensing fees.
 
Project Targets:
1. Classify New licenses in term of rights, obligations, resources available for each class. 
2. Determine the licensed service & service exempted from licensing obligations.
3. Determine new license categories fees. 
4. Determine the transformation mechanism to the new licenses framework.
 
Response Deadline:
Kindly, send your responses regarding the document not later than 28 October 2022.
 
Submitting way:
A letter addressed to Telecommunication Regulatory Authority; indicating the person`s Name /entity`s name responsible to reply via social media including address, phone number & E-mail.
 
Send your comments to the following Email: traoman@tra.gov.om   
Or
Send E-copy or hard copy to the following address
TRA Premises, Airport Heights
Seeb, Muscat Governate
Telecommunication regulatory Authority
P. O. Box 355, P C 111
Seeb- Sultanate of Oman.
 
Attachments:
2-      Attachments
A) Licensing Regulation
B) Public Telephone Telecommunications Service Regulation
C) Regulation Specifying the License Fees for Providing Telecommunications Services
D) License Application Guidelines
E) Individual License
F) Standard A License
G) Standard B License

Responses about the consultation document:
  1. Omantel
  2. Oman Broadband
  3. Awasr
  4. Connect Arabia (Friendi Mobile)
  5. Oman Tech Infrastructure (Helios Oman)
  6. RigNet Middle East
  7. Inmarsat
  8. Telesat
  9. OQ Tech
  10. Space Communication Technologies (SCT)
  11. SpaceX
  12. OneWeb
  13. Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA)
  14. E-Space
  15. Kinéis

TRA would like to thank the respondents for their contributions. The position statement was issued on March 2023 setting out its responses to the comments and queries received.

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