16 July 2011
MUSCAT: As the FRiENDi Group plans to expand its position as the leading MVNO and B-Brand operator in the region, FRiENDi Oman has been using its Omani employees to share knowledge and teach operations to telecommunication professionals in Saudi Arabia.
"There is significant knowledge asset in the people here. That is why we have tried to export Omani brains (at least lend them for a while). Besides a team from Saudi is here to check out on our success story," said Antti Arponen, chief executive officer, FRiENDi, while speaking to the media.
Starting with the launch of the first MVNO in the region in April 2009 in Oman, followed by the first MVNO in Jordan in 2010, FRiENDi mobile brand is now in Saudi Arabia. The group has plans to enter other countries, including two this year and two next year. "We are working actively in a handful of countries. Though it is too early to reveal details, I will say they will be in Middle East, South Asia and North Africa region," said Antti.
On knowledge sharing, he informed, "Oman has changed from being a country that adopts technology and services into a country that teaches other countries how to do it. It is matter of pride that we have been able to do it for countries like Saudi Arabia which is ranked the most competitive telecom market in the Arab world.
"It is great that our Omani employees are assisting in exporting knowledge. We have a Saudi team over here to leverage on the positive things we managed to do in Oman," he added.
Talking about the objective of the company, Antti said, "His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has a vision of turning Oman into an information society in the coming years. We want to be an active player in getting that vision realised. We know it can't be a quick translation of the society from one of low Internet penetration into 100 per cent penetration.
It will take 10 years probably but we will be key player there." Stressing that the company is lucky that it has behind it a huge international group that has provided the necessary funds, investment and experience to start off in Oman, Antti however, added, "FRiENDi Oman is in a position to fly on its own. We don't need further funding; we are self sufficient here in Oman. We are here literally to stay. We have sufficient funds to do that, so the next 10 years is our perspective at the moment."
Informing that FRiENDi mobile has about 270,000 customers, Antti said, "To put that in context, since we started operations in Oman one million new mobile customers have arrived. That means one in every four customers has decided to opt for FRiENDi mobile services. Of course, we are small because we started from zero but it proves that the customer thinks the combination of quality and price that we are providing is right."
Talking about Omani staff strength, Antti said, "Out of 70 employees, 60 are Omanis. They are true telecommunication professionals by any international standards and besides, we have opened a lot of international career opportunities for our young Omani staff too." Sharing information about the technology used, Antti said, "Our system can serve up to one million customers. When we reach that target, hopefully one day we will be able to upgrade easily. This might be small but this is the most efficient equipment anywhere in the world."
Elated with the good response to the broadband Internet package, Antti said, "It has been above expectation. We will continue launching offers as well as continue improving customer experience even more."
MUSCAT: As the FRiENDi Group plans to expand its position as the leading MVNO and B-Brand operator in the region, FRiENDi Oman has been using its Omani employees to share knowledge and teach operations to telecommunication professionals in Saudi Arabia.
"There is significant knowledge asset in the people here. That is why we have tried to export Omani brains (at least lend them for a while). Besides a team from Saudi is here to check out on our success story," said Antti Arponen, chief executive officer, FRiENDi, while speaking to the media.
Starting with the launch of the first MVNO in the region in April 2009 in Oman, followed by the first MVNO in Jordan in 2010, FRiENDi mobile brand is now in Saudi Arabia. The group has plans to enter other countries, including two this year and two next year. "We are working actively in a handful of countries. Though it is too early to reveal details, I will say they will be in Middle East, South Asia and North Africa region," said Antti.
On knowledge sharing, he informed, "Oman has changed from being a country that adopts technology and services into a country that teaches other countries how to do it. It is matter of pride that we have been able to do it for countries like Saudi Arabia which is ranked the most competitive telecom market in the Arab world.
"It is great that our Omani employees are assisting in exporting knowledge. We have a Saudi team over here to leverage on the positive things we managed to do in Oman," he added.
Talking about the objective of the company, Antti said, "His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has a vision of turning Oman into an information society in the coming years. We want to be an active player in getting that vision realised. We know it can't be a quick translation of the society from one of low Internet penetration into 100 per cent penetration.
It will take 10 years probably but we will be key player there." Stressing that the company is lucky that it has behind it a huge international group that has provided the necessary funds, investment and experience to start off in Oman, Antti however, added, "FRiENDi Oman is in a position to fly on its own. We don't need further funding; we are self sufficient here in Oman. We are here literally to stay. We have sufficient funds to do that, so the next 10 years is our perspective at the moment."
Informing that FRiENDi mobile has about 270,000 customers, Antti said, "To put that in context, since we started operations in Oman one million new mobile customers have arrived. That means one in every four customers has decided to opt for FRiENDi mobile services. Of course, we are small because we started from zero but it proves that the customer thinks the combination of quality and price that we are providing is right."
Talking about Omani staff strength, Antti said, "Out of 70 employees, 60 are Omanis. They are true telecommunication professionals by any international standards and besides, we have opened a lot of international career opportunities for our young Omani staff too." Sharing information about the technology used, Antti said, "Our system can serve up to one million customers. When we reach that target, hopefully one day we will be able to upgrade easily. This might be small but this is the most efficient equipment anywhere in the world."
Elated with the good response to the broadband Internet package, Antti said, "It has been above expectation. We will continue launching offers as well as continue improving customer experience even more."
© Times of Oman 2011
