At a media briefing on Monday, Omantel CEO Talal bin Said al Mamari underscored the profound transformation underway in the telecommunications sector in Oman, while also highlighting the company’s pivotal role in connecting the economy and essential services, and providing comprehensive, high-quality solutions encompassing artificial intelligence, education, healthcare, and a wide range of other services.
In a key takeaway from his address, Al Mamari said Omantel’s allocation of around RO 12 million towards the empowerment of Omani tech entrepreneurs, demonstrated its belief in the significance of innovation and the growth of the digital economy.
Further, in a bid to bolster its capacity to meet surging demand for internet services, the company plans to lay four to six new submarine cables linking Salalah with other destinations over the next two years. Omantel already boasts a substantial market share in the regional telecommunications landscape, with its submarine cables accounting for nearly 15% of total regional connectivity.
Underscoring the expansive growth of its internet and digital services, individual data consumption over its network has quadrupled over the past decade and tripled in the last three years, the CEO said.
The company also intends to establish a specialized academy to foster artificial intelligence skills, collaborating with international partners to ensure alignment with the latest advancements in this critical field.
Earlier, Al Mamari highlighted Omantel’s success in forging partnerships with a number of global players with the goal of enhancing national capabilities in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. These collaborations aim to boost commercial value and drive innovation in the information and communication technology sector, he stressed.
Notable agreements include a partnership with Amazon Web Services to develop cloud sovereignty, enhancing Oman’s cloud capabilities, and another to launch a marketplace that will create new opportunities for Omani companies, facilitating their regional and global expansion. Omantel also signed a significant agreement with Google to develop Cloud Edge using AI and machine learning capabilities.
Additionally, agreements with Microsoft to accelerate ICT innovations and with Huawei to establish Oman’s national cloud platform were secured.
The CEO noted that these partnerships, along with solutions from Omantel subsidiaries and the company’s international connectivity, support Omantel’s transition into an integrated technology solutions provider to meet the growing needs of its enterprise and consumer customers.
On the nationalization front, Omantel’s Omanisation level has now reached an impressive 93%, reflecting its commitment to developing national competencies and enhancing citizen participation in the development journey, he added.
Oman Observer