Muscat: Third mobile operator Vodafone which will begin its operations in Oman next year will have a free-hand to set prices for their services, an official at Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) has informed. 

In a statement online, a TRA official reiterated its stand while maintaining that Vodafone will not be subjected to “prerequisites of tariff.” 

Global telecom giant Vodafone as the third telecom operator has potentially game-changing implications for Oman’s telecom sector, with beneficial knock-on effects for the wider national economy. According to experts, it will also intensify sector-wide competition with customers hoping for a reduction in telecom tariffs. According to the official, contrary to what has been circulated on social media, TRA will not oppose the reduction of prices.  “It is not true what has been circulated regarding that TRA opposing reduction of prices of telecommunications services, and the third operator will not be subject to the prerequisites of the tariff,” he said. 

“In open markets such as Oman, TRA do not set prices for telecom services. The role of the regulator in tariff offers is to review and approve or reject proposals submitted by licensees before they are implemented in the market.”

However, according to TRA official, while evaluating the offers set by telecom providers, the authority takes into account the interest of the consumer. 

Last month, TRA announced the signing of a strategic partnership pact between telecom heavyweight Vodafone Group and Oman Future Telecommunication Company (OFT). Under the non-equity agreement, the partnership plans to roll out a new mobile network under the Vodafone brand with commercial launch slated during the second half of 2020.

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