Global Arab Network | Oman opens competition and promotes investment in telecommunications

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Oman opens competition and promotes investment in telecommunications

Global Arab Network - - George Haddad

Wednesday, 30 September 2009 22:04

The Government of the Sultanate of Oman, recognising the importance of the telecom sector in economic and social spheres, has decided to open competition and promote investment in this sector in order to meet the country’s needs for basic telecommunications means and more advanced telecommunications, said Mohammed bin Nasser al Khusaibi, Secretary-General of the Omani Ministry of National Economy and Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Oman (TRA), during the Middle East Spectrum Conference:

"Telecommunication industry is moving forward faster than before due to the introduction of new advanced products daily. The ability to communicate anywhere, anytime, by anyone has become the driving force of electronic telecommunication sector worldwide. "Consequently, research teams are exploring new approaches and developing new telecommunication mechanisms that are capable of creating new generations of wireless networks.”

He further added, “As we all know, the frequency spectrum is a natural resource with social, economic and cultural significance for all countries around the world. The radio telecom industry relies basically on the frequency spectrum which requires the countries and administrations to manage it successfully and plan its use in accordance with the ITU Recommendations and the international practices in this regard. "It also requires the countries and administrations to co-ordinate the distribution and use of spectrum among the countries and regional groups to ensure its continuity and its optimal use.

Consequently, this will contribute in building a basic infrastructure to facilitate, develop and use the radio telecom technology of the latest international standards with the aim of reinforcing its competition capabilities and promoting economic growth and living conditions. "Therefore, the task entrusted to the participants in this Conference entails co-operation, co-ordination and exchange of experience in order to make use of this vital resource in developing the telecom sector in the countries of the region and worldwide.”

“Economic delivery of radio communication services and international roaming cannot be achieved except by harmonised utilisation of spectrum. Using frequency bands allocated for international services (eg mobile services) inside countries in a way that is not in line with the ITU Recommendations and the international trends does not only cause a massive loss of national resources but also delays introduction of popular telecommunication services inside the national market.

Therefore, allocation of spectrum bands according to the International Radio Regulations and international trends shall be immediately adhered to in order to speed up telecommunication industry growth.” Future policies for spectrum management, the TRA Chairman further noted, shall focus on achieving maximum benefit from radio spectrum, making adequate provisions for public community services, encouraging use of efficient radio technologies and supporting government communications policy objectives.

“They shall also rely on market forces to ensure economically efficient use of spectrum and promote competition, adopting maximum flexibility to respond to market forces, assuring frequency availability in order to deliver new telecom techniques and services to our countries, ensuring domestic policies are consistent with world spectrum policies and attracting investments to the telecom sector.”

Al Khusaibi described the conference as an event of “paramount importance” for the countries of the region, in view of adopting a policy to open up telecom sector market in accordance with the International Free Trade Agreement and other agreements. “The demand for mobile telecommunications services and broadband services licence is witnessing a growing increase.

However, the unavailability if spectrum is a major roadblock for opening up this sector. This requires vacating and re-planning of frequencies and making a balance between government and commercial utilisation in order to achieve this objective. Moreover, there is a need to provide frequencies for new services, which will certainly contribute to the economic and social growth in our countries,” he added.

The Middle East Spectrum Conference held at the InterContinental Muscat under the patronage of Mohammed bin Nasser al Khusaibi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of National Economy and Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Oman (TRA). Also due to attend are a number of government and regional spectrum management officials, as well as telecom service providers and regional spectrum consultants.

Supported by the TRA and organised by PolicyTracker, the online and printed journal of spectrum management, the two-day regional conference will address a number of issues related to spectrum management, including related issues connected to policy makers and regulatory bodies of the region. Around 36 papers will be presented by specialists from the region and Europe. From Oman, Naashiah al Kharusi, Member of the Regulatory Authority, will speak on the balance between government and private uses of spectrum.

Mohsin al Hafeedh, Member of the TRA said: “The hosting of regional conferences in Muscat demonstrates TRA’s determination in introducing new technologies to the local market. Such specialised gatherings are a good platform to exchange views and ideas on what has been achieved in the international telecom market. It also provides good exposure to our employees and stakeholders.”

Commenting on the agenda of the conference, Yousef al Balushi, senior manager of the Spectrum Management Unit at the TRA said, “The objective of this two-day gathering here in Muscat is to discuss and exchange views over a number of issues such as; broadband spectrum and licensing policy to encourage faster broadband deployment, cheaper service and re-planning GSM network to allow further competition in the telecom market. In this respect, the conference will address opportunities and challenges of spectrum in the Middle East region. In addition to Cross Border Co-ordination of different telecom services such as the GSM and 2 and 3G services.”

Global Arab Network

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