PCCW-Awaser loses Oman fixed-line licence to Nawras

Oman’s regulator has confirmed that a consortium led by Nawras, the country’s second mobile operator, is now the successful bidder of the second fixed-line licence ahead of the PCCW-Awaser consortium, which was previously announced the winning bidder on October 25.

Nawras CEO Ross Cormack is thrilled to gain access to Oman’s fixed-line and broadband market

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) issued a statement noting that the license was awarded to the Nawras consortium “on condition that it will honour all the obligations specified in the Information Memorandum, which comprises the tender terms and condition relating to the bidding process.”

“We are very proud to have been chosen as the new provider of fixed-line services for the people of Oman,” stated CEO of Nawras, Ross Cormack. “The whole company will work together to support the sultanate’s bold vision for delivering the highest possible standard of communications and we are well positioned to leverage Qtel’s growing international expertise in developing and deploying fixed-line and broadband services.”

Nawras is a subsidiary of Qatar Telecom (Qtel) and enjoys a 43 per cent market share with 1.4 million mobile customers since launching operations in the country in March 2005.

Chairman of Qtel, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al-Thani, stated the announcement was another important step for the Qtel Group in their international expansion and deepening service offerings for customers.

“We are confident that Nawras will bring the same level of innovation and value to the Omani fixed-line market that it has to the mobile sector and that the increased choice will benefit everyone in Oman.”