Page 17 - SAMENA Trends - May 2020

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Mohammed Al Murshidi as Chairman and witnessed in general. Omantel Group connectivity benefitting from the unique
Mr. Saud Bin Ahmed Al Nahari , as the total revenues (including Zain Group’s geographical location of the Sultanate and
Vice Chairman. The BoD sub committees operations) grew by 18.6% reaching the significant investments made by the
were also formed and their members were RO 2592 million compared to RO 2186 company during the past period in building
elected. Commenting on the meeting , His million last year. Earnings before interest, a robust submarine cables network linking
Excellency Abdul Salam bin Mohammed tax and depreciation and amortization the whole globe through the Sultanate".
Al Murshidi, Chairman of Omantel Board grew by 28% from R.O 855 million to R.O As for the company’s social responsibility,
of Directors, said, "The Group continued 1098 million. Omantel Group net profit Talal Al Mamari said: "Omantel CSR
its good financial performance during (before non-controlling interests) grew strategy focuses on building partnerships
2019 despite the challenges that faced by 43.5% to RO 299.7 million compared and launching initiatives aimed at
the sector, especially in the local market." to RO 208.8 million during 2018. The net improving the standards of living of the
"Zain operations continued to contribute profit (after non-controlling interests) targeted groups. Omantel CSR initiatives
to the growth of Omantel Group business increased by 19.9% to RO 77.7 million, also facilitates digital transformation
and to make off the weak growth in the compared to RO 64.8 million in 2018. by supporting important sectors such
local market. Zain Group operations "During 2019, we implemented several as education and health in addition to
grew by 25% on an annual basis. This initiatives to overcome the challenges supporting entrepreneurship, SMEs and
remarkable growth is attributed to the that faced the sector and take advantage promoting positive attitude towards
full consolidation of Zain KSA results in of available opportunities to ensure environment and HSE". “Omantel has
the Group in 2019 (the results of Zain sustainability of Omantel business. We launched several initiatives in cooperation
KSA were consolidated for only 6 months further capitalized on available synergy with partners from government and civil
during 2018)", His Excellency added. opportunities between Omantel and Zain, society institutions to maximize the
"Omantel's acquisition of a strategic stake especially in areas such as wholesale, impact of its CSR initiatives on the targeted
in the Zain Mobile Group contributed to enterprise and digital services as well as groups and society in general. The number
raising the revenues and profits of Omantel enhancement of customer experience, he of beneficiaries from Omantel social
Group and as a result of this acquisition, added. Commenting on the networks, Al initiatives during 2019 stood at about
the third largest mobile operator in the Mamari pointed out that Omantel launched 122,613, he continued. “In 2019, Omantel
MENA region was created. The acquisition the first 5G network in the Sultanate in managed to achieve the sustainability
provided opportunities for synergies December 2019 to keep pace with the goals that were set as part of Omantel
between the two companies, enhanced latest global technology advancements. Sustainability Framework in 2014 to be
the ability to compete more effectively in The move is expected to pave the way achieved in 2020. Omantel has invested
the market and helped in addressing the for the introduction of many technologies more than RO 10 million in sustainability-
risks of operating in a single market", His related to the fourth industrial revolution related initiatives in addition to reaching
Excellency concluded. On his part, Talal such as the Internet of Things, artificial 95% broadband coverage at speeds of
bin Said Al Mamari, CEO of Omantel, said, intelligence and Fintech solutions. Omantel not less than 10 Mbps - a year before the
“Omantel continued its growth trajectory continued its local network expansion target date, he concluded.
despite the challenges that the sector plan and strengthening its international

New Technologies Enable Omantel Call Center Employees to Work Remotely

Call centers play a pivotal role in serving
customers in normal circumstances,
such importance is even doubled in
exceptional circumstances such as those
faced currently by the Sultanate and the
world as a result of COVID-19 outbreak.
Omantel call center, the first support
line for customers and one of the largest
call centers in the Sultanate, receives 10
million calls every year enquiring about the
company’s various services and products
- an average of more than 20,000 calls
a day. Considering the importance of
maintaining the expected level of service
by customers and since the beginning
of the spread of COVID 19, Omantel
considered alternative solutions that can

17 MAY 2020