Page 30 - SAMENA Trends - March 2020

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Omantel Partners with Ericsson to Manage Its

Multi-Access Mobile Networks

Swedish tech giant, Ericsson, has renewed support and maintenance for Omantel's service to our growing customer base. The
an agreement with Omantel to manage its fixed-line access, 2G, 3G, 4G and future deal covers network operations and field
multi-vendor 3G, 4G and 5G networks in 5G access. “Expanding our long-term maintenance for Omantel's multivendor
Oman. The deal will see Ericsson manage partnership with Ericsson with the mobile networks, including access and
Omantel’s mobile networks for the next implementation of its innovative solutions core technologies. We at Omantel work with
five years. As part of the deal, Ericsson is in line with our strategy to focus on our international companies such as Ericsson
will provide a fully managed end-to-end core business of providing a convergence to bring extensive management Services
multivendor operations service to include of communications, and information to our expertise to our network,” said Talal Said
nationwide network operations, field customers and to deliver the best possible Al Mamari, Chief Executive Officer of
Omantel. The project will allow Omantel
to take advantage of Network Functions
Virtualization (NFVI) solutions, which
allow the highest levels of automation and
maintenance capabilities. Ericsson will
also deploy automation platforms to allow
Omantel to increase operational network
efficiency and further enhance customer
experiences for its subscribers. “Today’s
agreement reinforces our long-standing
partnership and commitment to Omantel.
It will enable us to evolve Omantel’s
network from network-centric to user-
experience-centric network leveraging
Ericsson’s automation use cases. This
will create a differentiated experience for
Omantel’s subscribers,” said Fadi Pharaon,
President of Ericsson Middle East and
Africa.

Omantel, NYC Ink MoU to Empower Youth in Telecom and ICT Sector

Omantel, the first and leading provider of it also includes preparing the youth to students' class projects into financially
integrated telecommunication solutions in become an integral part of the technology viable information and communication
the Sultanate, continues its efforts in paving advancement, and hence increase their technology (ICT) start-ups On his part,
the way for a thriving digital ecosystem in contribution to achieving Oman 2040 Dr. Sami bin Salim Al Kharousi, Chairman
the country that can bring about successes vision.” Al Hosni asserted that the MoU of NYC, commented, “We are glad about
to various industries and set Oman further comes as part of a long-term vision to our deep cooperation with Omantel in
ahead in achieving its 2040 vision. As develop the capabilities of Omani youth in supporting Omani youth to increase their
part of these efforts, Omantel has signed the telecom and ICT sector, and it is one contribution to the telecom and ICT sector.
a MoU with National Youth Commission among many similar collaborations which This collaboration is of a great significance
(NYC) that aims to increase youth’s Omantel has built in order to support the as it comes at a time the sector is playing
contribution to the telecom and ICT sector nation’s growth, “We will continue to boost an ever-growing role in the path toward
through training programmes offered by our cooperation with the public and private achieving Oman 2040 vision, particularly in
reputable institutions. On the sidelines entities in a way that helps fulfilling Oman’s enabling a knowledge-based economy.” Al
of the MoU signing event, Dr. Ghalib bin development requirements, particularly in Kharousi also mentioned that the training
Saif Al Hosni, Chief People Officer at areas related to the youth and developing programmes that the involved parties seek
Omantel, said, “Omantel’s contribution to a knowledge-based economy.” One of the to offer are efficient and aligned with the
the growth of the telecom and ICT sector significant youth-related CSR initiatives market needs.
goes beyond technology, expertise, smart that Omantel has launched is 'Upgrade'
solutions and university laboratories as which aims to transform graduating

30 MARCH 2020