Oman seems to be a country on the move. Mobile and internet connections are growing tremendously and the latest report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency, has praised the sultanate for its success in telecom sector.
"The number of Internet users per 100 inhabitants increased impressively from 20 to 63 in two years, 2008 to 2010 (reached 78 by December 2011). Extensive use of Internet cafes and younger generation participating in social media activities and blogging contributed to the increase in the number of Internet users,'' says the ITU report 'Measuring the Information Society'.
The report terms Oman's mobile sector as highly competitive and appreciates the government's efforts to create knowledge-based economy and society.
"The sultanate has decided to invest in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for education, and the Ministry of Education has implemented several policies to connect schools with ICT, to improve ICT skills and integrate ICT in the curriculum,'' the report says.
Apart from the government initiatives, competition among the service providers is the other major factor contributing to the growth. It increased choices, made services affordable thereby increasing mobile penetration.
By December 2011, mobile penetration in the sultanate had reached an all time high of 173 per cent and Internet penetration was 78 per cent.
"Many people have two or more mobiles. They use one for voice and the other for data (to access Internet),'' says an official from Omantel.
"Competition is the main reason for the tremendous growth. Omantel, a government company was the only service provider earlier, now we have Nawras, and many Mobile Virtual Network Operators,'' Hilal al Siyabi, media and consumer affairs manager at Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) told Muscat Daily.
More competition means more good news for consumers. "As a regulator we should not be satisfied at any one point. We always look for scope for further improvement so that consumers have more choices and better services at affordable prices. Telecom sector is very dynamic and services will become more affordable and reach more people,'' he adds.
© Muscat Daily 2012
