Reports and Coverage

By Heiko Perkuhn and Szymon Lis, managing consultants, Detecon International

The Sultanate of Oman has established itself as one of the most progressive telecom sectors in the region in terms of liberalization and promotion of competition in recent years. A total of six mobile network operators cater to a population of approximately four million. The market leader is Omantel, part of Oman Telecommunications Company, in which the government owns a 70% stake. It is followed by the Omani Qatari Telecommunications Company known as Ooredoo. Awasr is the third fixed network operator in Oman. The newly announced telecom operator, anchored by Vodafone Group, will bring about an overhaul in the Sultanate's telecom sector when it begins operating in 2020.

Today we have made global achievements in 5G, setting benchmarks for the industry. This was backed by the infrastructure accomplishments made in the past that have complemented the 5G network.                                 

By An Jian, President of Carrier Networks Business Group, Huawei Middle East

By An Jian, President of Carrier Networks Business Group, Huawei Middle East

There’s enormous excitement for how 5G networks are now being trialed and deployed across the Middle East region—and for good reason. While the roll-out of 5G telecom networks has caught many of the recent headlines, we’re now entering a critical inflection point of not just having 5G capabilities, but actually leveraging that massive potential for economic transformation.  

stc Group CEO,  Nasser Sulaiman Al Nasser, announced that KSA holds a leading position globally in terms of communications infrastructure in general, and digital communications in particular. Al Nasser said that in 3 years, KSA has jumped from No. 105 to No. 10 globally at the end of 2019 in terms of internet speed according to the evaluations of the relevant international references. He added that stc's internet speed has multiplied 7 times over in 3 years.

Over the past few years, there’s been much speculation about drones and whether they are an asset or a peril to society. However, when it comes to the recent pandemic which has taken the world by storm, drones are being used for the greater good of humanity.

As the coronavirus pandemic forces the closing of schools, universities and workplaces, remote working, e-learning and e-health have emerged as temporary solutions until economic and social life goes back to normal. Despite having a solution, it is noteworthy that such a solution is not available to everyone. This scenario has shed light on the digital gap that exists between different countries in the same region.

The rapid increase of coronavirus cases in the world has urged governments to impose lockdown measures whereby malls, shopping centers, churches, mosques, schools and universities were closed and employees were asked to work remotely until further notice. Against this backdrop, a rapid demand on connectivity has risen which has put telcos in the spotlight.

Nexign has announced its new partnership with SAMENA Telecommunications Council in an effort to strengthen its presence in the Middle East and North African region.