Regional players eye Oman telecom market

Several companies, including regional players, have expressed interest in participating in the bid for the third telecom operator’s licence, the Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) said on Tuesday.

The deadline for receiving the bids ended on Monday.

TRA said it was evaluating these proposals as per procedures laid out in the information memorandum (IM) as part of the government’s keenness to increase competition in the telecommunications market and improve the quality of services.

The Saudi Telecommunications Company (STC) announced on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) it was competing for the third licence for the mobile phone network in the Sultanate.

The company said, “Application was made as per the details in accordance with IM and conditions set by Oman’s TRA.”

The bid includes a complete business plan, technical and financial plans along with a financial offer for the licence. According to IM, the qualified bidders will be shortlisted and announced by August 8.

The licence winner will announced on September 4.

STC said its participation is in line with the expansion strategy in the region, and the Omani telecom market is considered a “promising one with a good growth potential”. be