In an endeavour to close the digital gap in the Sultanate of Oman, OMAN BROADBAND a state-owned company has signed a memorandum of understanding with OOREDOO OMAN on 2nd of May 2019 to conduct a wireless pilot project in rural and remote villages in Oman. The government of through the telecom service providers has always been keen to offer a reliable broadband access service to the rural communities .
Inster a wireless solution provider that have a similar success stories across Europe is on board to conduct the proof of concept in the second half of 2019. Inster is specialized in wireless technologies over higher frequencies spectrum like 10GHz and 28GHz that can support fibre-like broadband service up to 100 Mbps. The villages that have been selected are categorized as areas under universal service obligations by telecommunication Regulatory Authority that are located in Wilayat Al Rustaq , South Al Batinah Region. The villages represented a typical rural environment in Oman which are normally located in mountainous and rocky areas.
OMAN BROADBAND is planning to offer the service for free for 38 houses including two schools as part of the pilot project. The access part will be a direct line-of-sight microwave links from the BTS mounted in top of a building to the remote units mounted on the houses, the service will be offered initially as 20 Mbps comparable to the service offered over FTTH networks. Furthermore , OMAN BROADBAND will offer a backhaul service over its fibre network to ensure a high-speed and a robust availability of service.
Although OMAN BROADBAND has partner-up with OOREDOO OMAN for the pilot project, the infrastructure itself is built to be an open access network (OAN) and is open for other operators once the service is commercialized. That means the end customer will have the choice to select any preferred operator that are licensed to offer broadband service in Oman.
OMAN BROADBAND plan to offer the solution as a wholesale basis in if a viable business model materialize eventually in other rural and remote areas across the Sultanate.
Fujairah FZ Fujairah 4442 ,