Page 15 - SAMENA Trends - Oct-Nov 2023

INTERVIEW SAMENA TRENDS

Q. Regarding your expansion strategy,
what are the key areas where you are
currently focusing on?
A. The company's team continues its
efforts towards expanding its network in all
governorates, as we aim to reach new areas
in the next phase. These areas include:
Otab and Al-Sowihira in Suhar, Al-Khashda,
Hilat Ar-Rawasheed, Majz As-Soghra, Abo
Ad-Doros, Alghowaisa, Sor Ash-Sheyadi,
Al-Qashi’ in Saham, plus Al-Amera and Al-
Rumais in Barka, and a number of areas in
Jalan Bani Bo Ali, and AL-Rusail in Muscat,
besides some areas in Duqom, as well as
Ad-Dahariz and Al-Haffa in Salalah, and
others.

Q. Tell us about the 'Affaq' project for divide is one of the goals that the strategy service operator from among the licensed
covering rural villages implemented by the seeks to achieve at the national, social, and operators in the Sultanate of Oman.
Oman Broadband Company? economic levels, in addition to what has
A. This initiative came in implementation been accomplished in building broadband Q. How do you work towards strengthening
of the National Broadband Strategy, the networks using optical fibers. partnerships with governorates to foster
implementation of which was entrusted to local development?
the Oman Broadband Company, which is This initiative includes covering 600 villages A. There is no doubt that efforts will
one of the companies of ITHCA Group. distributed across the various governorates continue to enhance various partnerships,
of the Sultanate in accordance with the and through the company's teamwork, we
Accessing broadband service to remote principle of open access, which allows have successfully activated and developed
rural communities to reduce the digital beneficiaries in these villages to choose the a partnership model with the governorates
to provide broadband infrastructure with
the aim of offering and improving internet
services and supporting the economic
system.
Wide spreading broadband network
contributes to increasing the local output
due to the efficient acceleration of
business and services. This is in addition
to broader and faster coverage of high-
speed home internet networks, creating
job opportunities for the youth in various
governorates.

I have high hopes in this partnership model
with governorates, and the promising
investment opportunities it will create for
them, utilizing it to support sectors such as
education and health, among other service
sectors, which aligns with the national
broadband strategy.

15 OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023