MUSCAT : The news of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik granting Class A licence to Vodafone to establish and provide telecommunication services in Oman has been welcomed by citizens, residents and experts.

Speaking to The Arabian Stories, experts in the field said the decision to have Vodafone as third mobile operator will enhance the telecommunications and information sector in the country. “Vodafone’s entry is good for Oman and of course the customer is the winner too in this. The competition is going to be at its best as customers will have many options to choose from,” said Robin Sebastian, a digital marketing expert based in Muscat.

According to sources, Vodafone is expected to start operations catering to Oman’s 6 million mobile subscribers. In September 2019, the Vodafone Group and Oman Future Telecommunications announced a strategic partnership agreement to start mobile network services in Oman. “People these days prefer a package with a host of benefits in less price especially internet,” Robin said.

According to the latest report by National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), Oman’s number of active mobile broadband subscribers rose 12.1 per cent to 5.31 million at the end of November 2020. “It’s a huge growth in a country like Oman and this is why the Vodafone’s entry will benefit the customers,” said Saif Al Harthy, a Muscat based techie.

“Telecom networks are clearly at the heart of our digital future but if they can come out with competitive offers, the industry will boon and strengthen further,” Al Harthy noted.

“Most importantly, Vodafone’s presence will expand the telecom market and at the same time will help the Omani economy and its digital future,” Robin added.