There will be some pressure on the pricing of products with the arrival of the third mobile operator, said Ian Dench, CEO, Ooredoo, on Wednesday. At the same time, he said the company will see new competition as an opportunity to look at its products, services and customer care among others. “When we have a penetration of 160 per cent, then the opportunities for growth is limited. But we are preparing ourselves for the competition and doing what best we can.” For the launch of 5G services in Oman, Dench said the standards have not yet been established. “We are still talking with vendors and the authorities for the standards. We will make sure when standards become more stable, we will be ready for 5G.”
He said the company will be adding 1,000 new locations to give access to the fast 4G network. “This is an unprecedented investment to make our network a ‘supernet’ to enrich our customers’ digital lives. Our overall network covers 99 per cent of Oman’s population and our 4G network reaches 55 per cent, but we are about to give it a huge boost to bring it up to 90 per cent This is the single biggest upgrade in the history of the company.”
He said the company has already covered all of Muscat and the urban areas with the 4G network and added that an investment of RO 150 million has been made since in the 4G network over the years. Dench said the demand for conventional voice calls are on the decline and going forward, it will all be about data.
Vinod Nair
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