Nawras fixed broadband and voice services go live July 20

Nawras’ long-anticipated home broadband and voice services will be launched this Tuesday July 20, breaking the monopoly of Omantel as Oman’s sole fixed voice and Internet provider. Nawras will operate the Sultanate’s first WiMAX network, which currently covers 54 per cent of households across the Sultanate and which is expected to expand to reach 80 per cent of households during 2011.

Every Nawras broadband Internet customer receives a fixed voice connection at no additional charge

The ‘plug and play’ simplicity of the Nawras home broadband and voice packages allows customers to set up internet access within minutes. The operator has also posted coverage maps on its website so customers can see exactly which services are available within their town or village.

Postpaid packages start from OMR 15 (US$39) per month, which include a 6 GB data allowance with up to 1 Mb/s downlink speed, spend capping to control broadband Internet budgets, and a free-of-charge telephone connection with no extra line charges.

The operator is also introducing the country’s first prepaid Internet service, starting at OMR 5 per week with a 2 GB data allowance and up to 1 Mb/s downlink speed. Alternatively subscribers can choose a monthly plan with the same prices and benefits as the postpaid options. Customers who sign up for a postpaid or prepaid package will receive double data allowances for free, plus 50 per cent off Nawras broadband modems until October 13 as part of the launch promotion.

With the fixed telephone connection, subscribers can take advantage of further discounted international call rates with the option of a unique voice over internet protocol (VoIP) service to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. By simply dialling ‘0902’ before a number, the phone call is automatically switched to VoIP for that call, offering the most attractive call rates to the six Asian destinations.