The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) conducted last week a drawing of lots at Kempinski Hotel Muscat for the allocation of the frequency band 3400 - 3700 MHz to the licensed mobile operators in Oman to be used in the operation of 5G networks where each operator was be allotted 100 MHz.
5G Bands
The event, which was attended by a number of officials and specialists in the telecom sector, started with a speech by engineer/ Yousuf bin Abdullah Al Balushi Vice President for frequency management affairs. In his speech, Al Balushi revealed how the allocation of 5G bands is planned, stating that TRA will allocate the frequency band 3400 - 3700 MHz after coordination with the Ministry of Finance and said that TRA is closely following the current studies on the frequency bands that are tipped for the International Mobile Telecommunications service (IMT) within the WRC-19 agenda as TRA supports the inclusion of a definition for the IMT service in the frequency band 25, 24-5 and 27 GHz as well as the frequency band 40,5 - 43,5 MHz.
Enhancing Customer Experience
Mr. Al Balushi clarified that the 5G technology will contribute substantially in facilitating the transfer of data at high speeds with minimum response time. It will provide adequate capacity for billions of internet-connected devices and will enhance customer experience and innovations to promote projects of safe and smart cities and the internet of things. There is a global emphasis on 5G technology and TRA is paying great attention to it and constantly follows studies and experiments conducted worldwide in this regard.
Combining efforts to launch the service
Engineer Al Balushi further added that due to the regional and international trend to expedite the introduction of 5G services of IMT systems, TRA established a national team for IMT 5G comprising of TRA, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, Ministry of housing, Muscat Municipality, Dhofar Municipality and Sohar Municipality beside the mobile operators in Oman to create a roadmap to introduce 5G services in the Sultanate before the year 2020, in addition to the preparation of comprehensive plans for all relevant issues. The national team continues its efforts with the parties concerned to ensure fruitful cooperation towards the successful launch of 5G technologies in Oman at the earliest possible time.
Al Balushi went on to say that, the design of 5G networks requires the erection of hundreds of telecom towers and using the infrastructure of lighting poles, advertisement boards and any suitable existing and future structures to provide full coverage and high capacities to connect various devices, services and applications with the main telecommunications networks. He pointed out that TRA coordinated with the authorities in charge of issuing licenses for the installation of telecom towers and antennas to get ready for the introduction of this new technology and seek solutions to streamline procedures and overcome obstacles in this respect.
As part of announcing the frequency bands that will be used for 5G, Mr. Yousuf Al Balushi said: “This announcement will allow the mobile licensees in Oman to undergo further experiments on 5G networks and prepare for the commercial introduction of this technology in the Sultanate by speeding up the preparation of 5G networks. The frequency band 3,5 MHz is one of the major frequency bands upon which the primary operation of 5G will rely given the great support accorded to this band by most world administrations and manufacturers”.
Afterwards, lots were drawn to allocate the three parts of the frequency band 3400 - 3700 MHz to the operators where TRA was keen to follow a fair and transparent standard. The draw was conducted in two stages; where the first drawing company was selected from the two companies, Omantel and Ooredoo. In the second stage the company chosen in the first stage drew the lots for one of the three parts of the frequency band 3400 - 3700 MHz which was as follows: Part one: 3400 - 3500 MHz, Part two: 3500 - 3600 MHz and Part three: 3600 - 3700 MHz. The second company then selected one of the two remaining parts of the band, while the third remaining part of the band (3600 - 3700 MHz) will be allocated in the future for the third operator in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of TRA.
The results of the lots were that Omantel will use the first part 3400 - 3500 MHz, while Ooredoo will use the second part 3500 - 3600 MHz.
Source: Press Release