Oman is focusing on making broadband more affordable and will spend RO450mn over the next ten years to improve communication services, according to Dr Suleiman al Hedaithy, chairman, FTTH Council MENA.
He said that the Oman Broadband Company (OBC) will be expanding its fibre network to 130,000 more homes and businesses in Muscat by the end of 2016. Dr Hedaithy was addressing the gathering on the opening day of the seventh edition of the Fiber to the Home (FTTH) Council MENA Conference which was inaugurated by H E Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Salim al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications on Tuesday.
"It is estimated that over 90 per cent of Muscat governorate will be covered by fibre optic by 2021 and most of the other urban areas across Oman will be covered by 2030-end. The ultimate target is to connect all homes and businesses to the national broadband network by 2040."
He said that in line with the overall strategy, "Oman's Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Telecom Regulatory Authority are going ahead with their plans to provide broadband services in cities and rural areas through satellite and wired communications". Keynote speeches were delivered by Dr Salim Sultan al Ruzaiqi, CEO of Information Technology Authority and Ebrahim al Haddad, regional director of the ITU Arab Regional Office.
The conference includes a 'World of Applications' session, which is showcasing the latest applications and e-services by various companies.
Dr Hedaithy said that the decision to hold the conference here was because of the efforts taken by the Omani government and ICT stakeholders in introducing fibre optics infrastructure in the region. He commended the efforts of OBC in facilitating the development of the new fibre-based national broadband network.
The conference is being held under the theme 'The Edge of a Brighter Tomorrow' and will conclude on Wednesday. The eighth edition of the annual conference will be held in Tunisia next year.