16 July 2012
Muscat: Aiming to provide customers with "unprecedented speed- and "revolutionise the way the Internet is used-, Omantel yesterday officially launched the first 4G LTE network in the Sultanate.
The 4G LTE network will be available in areas including Sultan Qaboos University Campus, Mawaleh, Al Khoudh, Al Khuwair and Ruwi (in Muscat Governorate) as well as in Buraimi and Khasab.
With this, Oman has become the third country to launch 4G in the Arab world, following Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In all, only 21 countries in the world have introduced 4G services.
In what comes as a welcome news for the users, 4G LTE network can deliver speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
Speaking at press conference, Dr Amer Awadh Al Rawas, CEO of Omantel said, "We are committed to extending coverage to the majority of Muscat and the main cities nationwide in the coming months.-
Historical moment
He also added, "We are proud to announce the launch of first commercial 4G LTE network in the Sultanate. This is another historical moment for the telecom sector as a whole as we continue to enrich our customers and offer them the most innovative products and services. Our state-of-the-art network will enable us to provide unmatched mobile broadband speeds.-
The launch follows the awarding of Omantel's 4G LTE network contracts to Huawei and Ericsson in May. The launch of the Sultanate's first 4G LTE network comes after a series of trials.
Since 2008, Omantel has invested RO500 million for network enchaining.
"We have made a progressive shift to new generation network. We launched 3.5 G in 2009. Since 2010 we have done field experiments for 4G,- said Al Rawas.
Heavy investment
He added, "Omantel has been heavily investing to extend broadband coverage and increase speeds to ensure that our customers are provided with the best overall customers experience. As of today, we have successfully completed the build-out of more than 50 sites across Sultanate.-
Speaking of the network coverage, Al Rawas said, "We have chosen the areas carefully. The reason that 4G LTE network is available in areas like Sultan Qaboos University Campus, Mawaleh, Al Khoudh, Al Khuwair and Ruwi is because of the high user -" the presence of youth and high traffic in 3.5G.
"However, the customers will have to make sure with the Omantel sales executive whether 4G network is available in their areas by giving their complete address. With the expected uptake of 4G LTE, we foresee a more balanced load which will result in improved speeds for both 3.5G and 4G networks.
"We are committed to extending coverage to the majority of Muscat and the main cities nationwide in the next period.- Al Rawas added.
Al Rawas thanked the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the TRA for providing spectrum and for supporting the launch. He also thanked the project management team from Omantel's partners, Huawei and Ericsson, for their efforts to enable them to become the first provider of 4G LTE in the Sultanate.
"The 4G LTE will be available for data usage at this point in time and as the technology develops, we will see more devices and handsets that support 3.5G and 4G LTE and eventually data and voice. These will be introduced as soon as they become commercially available.
"Now, 4G LTE can be used through special dongles that are provided at introductory competitive price from Omantel at only RO30 including a sim card configured for 4G LTE which will include 1 GB of data. The 4G LTE starter-pack will be available at Omantel outlets on Sultan Qaboos University campus, Omantel HQ & Muscat City Centre outlets in Al Mawalih, Al Khaudh, Muscat Grand Mall and Zakher Mall in Al Khuwair, Ruwi Main Outlet, Al Buraimi and Khasab outlets,- said Haitham Abdullah Al Kharusi, vice president of Omantel's Consumer Business Unit.
4G LTE Packages
Omantel is offering 4G LTE with a promotional offer at the same rates of the 3.5G Mobile Broadband packages. Prepaid customers can opt for a daily package for RO1 weekly for RO3 or monthly starting from RO5 onwards. While postpaid Mada customers can subscribe to the monthly packages that start from as low as RO5 for one month making them the most competitive 4G LTE offering in the whole region.
Muscat: Aiming to provide customers with "unprecedented speed- and "revolutionise the way the Internet is used-, Omantel yesterday officially launched the first 4G LTE network in the Sultanate.
The 4G LTE network will be available in areas including Sultan Qaboos University Campus, Mawaleh, Al Khoudh, Al Khuwair and Ruwi (in Muscat Governorate) as well as in Buraimi and Khasab.
With this, Oman has become the third country to launch 4G in the Arab world, following Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In all, only 21 countries in the world have introduced 4G services.
In what comes as a welcome news for the users, 4G LTE network can deliver speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
Speaking at press conference, Dr Amer Awadh Al Rawas, CEO of Omantel said, "We are committed to extending coverage to the majority of Muscat and the main cities nationwide in the coming months.-
Historical moment
He also added, "We are proud to announce the launch of first commercial 4G LTE network in the Sultanate. This is another historical moment for the telecom sector as a whole as we continue to enrich our customers and offer them the most innovative products and services. Our state-of-the-art network will enable us to provide unmatched mobile broadband speeds.-
The launch follows the awarding of Omantel's 4G LTE network contracts to Huawei and Ericsson in May. The launch of the Sultanate's first 4G LTE network comes after a series of trials.
Since 2008, Omantel has invested RO500 million for network enchaining.
"We have made a progressive shift to new generation network. We launched 3.5 G in 2009. Since 2010 we have done field experiments for 4G,- said Al Rawas.
Heavy investment
He added, "Omantel has been heavily investing to extend broadband coverage and increase speeds to ensure that our customers are provided with the best overall customers experience. As of today, we have successfully completed the build-out of more than 50 sites across Sultanate.-
Speaking of the network coverage, Al Rawas said, "We have chosen the areas carefully. The reason that 4G LTE network is available in areas like Sultan Qaboos University Campus, Mawaleh, Al Khoudh, Al Khuwair and Ruwi is because of the high user -" the presence of youth and high traffic in 3.5G.
"However, the customers will have to make sure with the Omantel sales executive whether 4G network is available in their areas by giving their complete address. With the expected uptake of 4G LTE, we foresee a more balanced load which will result in improved speeds for both 3.5G and 4G networks.
"We are committed to extending coverage to the majority of Muscat and the main cities nationwide in the next period.- Al Rawas added.
Al Rawas thanked the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the TRA for providing spectrum and for supporting the launch. He also thanked the project management team from Omantel's partners, Huawei and Ericsson, for their efforts to enable them to become the first provider of 4G LTE in the Sultanate.
"The 4G LTE will be available for data usage at this point in time and as the technology develops, we will see more devices and handsets that support 3.5G and 4G LTE and eventually data and voice. These will be introduced as soon as they become commercially available.
"Now, 4G LTE can be used through special dongles that are provided at introductory competitive price from Omantel at only RO30 including a sim card configured for 4G LTE which will include 1 GB of data. The 4G LTE starter-pack will be available at Omantel outlets on Sultan Qaboos University campus, Omantel HQ & Muscat City Centre outlets in Al Mawalih, Al Khaudh, Muscat Grand Mall and Zakher Mall in Al Khuwair, Ruwi Main Outlet, Al Buraimi and Khasab outlets,- said Haitham Abdullah Al Kharusi, vice president of Omantel's Consumer Business Unit.
4G LTE Packages
Omantel is offering 4G LTE with a promotional offer at the same rates of the 3.5G Mobile Broadband packages. Prepaid customers can opt for a daily package for RO1 weekly for RO3 or monthly starting from RO5 onwards. While postpaid Mada customers can subscribe to the monthly packages that start from as low as RO5 for one month making them the most competitive 4G LTE offering in the whole region.
© Times of Oman 2012
