Friendi wins race to launch commercial service ahead of competition

Omani mobile reseller Friendi Mobile today announced that its services would go live tomorrow, Tuesday April 28, marking the much anticipated official launch of the first mobile reseller/MVNO in the MENA region. 

The launch will see the release of Friendi Mobile starter packs across hundreds of shops in Oman, at a cost of RO 2 (US$5.20), which includes the SIM along with an introductory promotion of 100 free minutes and 100 free SMS for those who are among the first to purchase a starter pack.

Friendi Mobile offers three different recharge card values, with the users being able to choose from amounts of 500 Bz, RO 1.5 and RO 4. In addition, the reseller permits users to choose recharge amounts as low as 10 Bz, which is a first in the Omani market.

“A Friendi Mobile SIM will not only offer a competitive rate for local calls as well as exciting value added services, but our international call rates are the lowest mobile rates in the market, with for example calls to the UK for as low as 179 Bz and India 159 Bz, commented Antti Arponen, CEO of Friendi Oman. “We have been looking forward to launching our product in Oman. In a nutshell, Friendi Mobile provides great prices, a high quality customer experience plus exciting and relevant services, setting us apart from the competition.”

The call rate for ‘on-network’ Friendi Mobile calls is a flat rate of 39 Bz per minute anytime, with no peak or off-peak timing, while Friendi Mobile users can call other local networks for 39 Bz per minute off- peak.

Friendi Mobile starter packs are now available from Lulu, Safeer, Zahra phones, KM Trading, Zahrath Al Hanna and hundreds of other outlets throughout Oman. The launch will also give those who pre-booked their numbers prior to the Friendi Mobile launch the chance to be allocated their chosen numbers.

Friendi Group CEO, Mikkel Vinter told Comm. recently that the reseller had registered a significant five digit number of pre-booked subscribers during the campaign.

Oman’s second mobile reseller, Renna, expects to launch commercially in the coming weeks.