Oman short lists seven universal service licensees

Seven firms have been short listed by Oman’s telecom regulator to provide services to remote parts of the sultanate.

The winner will be granted the first ten-year universal service licence in Oman, allowing it to offer fixed and mobile services and broadband Internet, with financial subsidies paid by the state.

Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) said the seven have been selected from an initial group of ten “renowned national and international operators”, with “sound financial positions and extensive experience of operating telecom networks and providing telecom services”.

India’s Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) is believed to be one interested party as is Hong Kong-based telco PCCW, which was initially granted Oman’s second fixed licence last year before the decision was reversed and the licence awarded to Nawras.

Oman’s TRA said it is now assessing the seven bidders’ technical and financial proposals, and that it hopes to issue the licence by the end of first quarter 2010.