Vodafone secures licence to become Oman's third telecoms operator

The telecom will compete with state-owned Omantel and Qatari operator Ooredoo in the Sultanate

Vodafone, the London-listed telecoms company, is the world's second biggest mobile operator. Reuters

Oman awarded Vodafone a licence to establish and operate public telecommunications services in the country, making the British telecom giant the third operator in the Sultanate.

Vodafone Oman said the move will ensure a “fair and healthy competitive landscape” for all citizens and residents of Oman.

“The presence of Vodafone in Oman will contribute to the development of all sectors including the economic and educational sectors, and in line with Oman Vision 2040,” Nasser bin Salem al Hosani, vice chairman of Vodafone Oman, said in a statement.

“We have focused on attracting the best international expertise in the field of telecommunications, which is represented in the strategic partnership with Vodafone Global,” he added.

The London-listed telecoms company, which is the world's second-largest mobile operator, will compete with state-owned Oman Telecommunication Company (Omantel) and Qatari operator Ooredoo in the Sultanate.

Ooredoo ended Omantel’s monopoly when it started operations in 2004.

Vodafone operates mobile and fixed networks in 21 countries and has partnered with mobile networks in another 48 markets.

The company had over 300 million mobile customers, more than 27 million fixed broadband customers, over 22 million TV customers and connected more than 112 million Internet of Things devices as of September 30 last year.

In September 2019, Vodafone inked a deal with Oman Future Telecommunications as part of its Partner Markets programme. Under the non-equity agreement, the companies agreed to work together to roll out a new mobile network and develop a number of new services using the Vodafone brand.

“The strategic partnership between Oman Future Telecommunications and Vodafone ensures that Vodafone Oman receives the right infrastructure and advanced technologies,” Diego Massidda, chief executive of Vodafone Partner Markets, said in a statement.

“Through partnerships and projects, especially with small and medium enterprises, the local community will also benefit from Vodafone’s global expertise,” he added.