PCCW wins Oman fixed line licence

A consortium including Hong Kong operator PCCW and a local investor has won a fixed line licence for Oman, the country’s communications regulator said over the weekend.

The Oman Telecommunications Regulatory Authority announced the award to Awaser Oman Consortium, which achieved the highest marks in the technical and commercial evaluation as well as the financial bid.

The licence award marks the opening up of the Oman market to overseas investors, as well as the second fixed line licence to be awarded in the country. Oman has a population of approximately 2.75 million and the local regulatory authority estimates the current fixed penetration rate at 10 per cent.

Broadband is at a very low penetration of just 3 per cent, representing an attractive opportunity for new entrants, the Regulatory Authority said.