HK-based telecom company won Oman's second fixed-line license

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-26 15:24

ABU DHABI -- PCCW - Awaser Oman Consortium, a joint venture between the Hong Kong-based telecom company Pacific Century CyberWorks (PCCW) and a local partner, was announced the winning bidder for Oman's second fixed-line license, the English newspaper Times of Oman reported on Sunday.

The Omani Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) said in a statement that the consortium achieved the highest marks in the technical and commercial evaluation as well as the financial bid, according to the report.

TRA endorsement will be forwarded to the Minister of Transport and Communications after all the necessary requirements are met by the consortium in accordance with the tender terms and conditions.

The issuance of the second fixed-line license in Oman is regarded as a milestone in the Gulf country's liberalization policy of the telecom sector, the statement by TRA said. Currently, there is only one fixed telecom operator in Oman, Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel).

The new fixed-line license will be a Class I license, which will enable the operator to provide a full range of fixed and Internet services similar to those that Omantel is eligible to provide. In addition, the winner of the new license will also be allocated radio spectrum to provide wireless broadband access, a feature currently not available to Omantel.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, PCCW is the premier telecom company in Hong Kong and a global player in information and communications technologies (ICT), with a presence in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas and mainland China, as well as other parts of Asia.