Sultanate set for 5G launch this year

Muscat, Jan 28 - The 5G network for mobile phones will be launched in Oman this year, according to top officials in the telecom industry. 5G would mean faster download/ upload speeds and reduced time for communicating with other wireless networks.
With 5G, a two-hour movie can be downloaded in 17 seconds as against six minutes for 4G. 5G phones will be 1,000 times faster than the current phones, according to digital trends.
Recently, a delegation from Oman led by Dr Hamed bin Salim al Rawahi, Executive President, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), travelled to the UK with the aim of leading the way towards implementation
of 5G in the Sultanate.
According to Yousef al Balushi, vice-president for spectrum affairs, TRA, the tour was “a fantastic opportunity for us to gain some insight, share knowledge and ultimately create a better way to keep everyone connected”.
Ian Dench, CEO, Ooredoo, said: “Having just obtained our 5G spectrum, we are exploring the implementation of operational trials, including urban testing.”
Ooredoo group recently successfully tested the first international 5G call in the Arab world. “The collaborative trip allowed us to gain expertise on 5G trials experiences from industry leaders who have already been through the process.”
Said Abdullah al Ajmi, vice-president of operations unit, Omantel, said: “We conducted several successful trials and live 5G tests in the past two years while preparing Omantel transmission and access networks for the anticipated commercial launch of 5G later this year.”
The visit provided us with a “valuable opportunity to learn more about global 5G experiences and network with relevant stakeholders in the UK”.
According to Dr Saoud al Shoaili, Director-General of Communications and Postal Services, Ministry of Transport and Communications, (MoTC), said: “By working together with key entities from Oman as well as other global organisations, we will make sure we are able to develop the environment for innovative and state-of-the-art technology, which will support the communications needs of the future.” Put together in conjunction with the British Embassy, the tour has laid the foundation for the development of Oman’s 5G roadmap by allowing the delegation to gain on-the-ground expertise as well as forge contacts with UK policymakers, regulators and investors.
The team of officials included Ooredoo’s Dench, Omantel’s Al Ajmi, senior representatives from MoTC, Oman Broadband Company, Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, Suhar, Muscat and Dhofar municipalities.
Hamish Cowell, British Ambassdor to Oman, said: “The trade team at the British Embassy was able to help set up this important visit to share lessons on 5G policies, regulation and technologies. This next generation of telecom technology has the potential to revolutionise so many areas of our lives. I hope to see close ongoing collaboration between Oman and the UK to develop the opportunities for economic development and enhanced public services that 5G can bring.”
The delegation met with Ofcom, the UK’s regulator for communications services, to gain insights into how it is managing the introduction of 5G from a regulatory perspective.
The team went to a number of 5G trial sites to see how they are being coordinated and conducted at the grassroots level. This included a trip to the 5G Innovation Centre in the county of Surrey to explore whether a similar initiative could be launched in Oman.
Representatives from the team also met various UK vendors involved with 5G-related activities to explore future collaboration and partnership opportunities.