410 villages in Oman to receive mobile connectivity

Muscat: Villagers’ lives are set to become easier as the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) is installing telecom stations which are expected to be complete by 2017.
The TRA is building 312 mobile telecom stations in two phases in various governorates of the Sultanate to cover 410 villages which lack telecommunication services.
Phase 1 outlines the installation of 200 mobile telecom stations of which 138 are already operational while the remaining 62 will be complete by the first quarter of 2017. Phase 2 concerns building 200 mobile telecom stations once the sites are approved and the required construction permits are obtained.
This phase is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.
Speaking about the positive impact of providing telecommunication coverage in rural areas, Hamood Ahmed Al Yahyai, member of the Shura Council representing Wilayat Dank, said that the TRA’s actions are based on the Shura’s proposal to provide coverage to villages and make life easier for villagers.
“The villagers had to seek out other locations with telecom coverage to get a decent signal, but now that there are stations it would be economically efficient for them,” Al Yahyai said.
“Now, they can save time, and instead of travelling, they can stay connected with the rest of the nation from the comfort of their homes,” he added.
He also asked the TRA to expedite the development of the telecom stations, since the move to provide coverage was supposed to have been thought of previously, instead of implementing it so late through all these years.
When asked how it would benefit the villagers in terms of starting businesses and enhancing trade and commerce, Al Yahyai said, “Everything is online now. They could register their businesses and invest online without having to go to the authorities concerned. By having these stations installed, the villagers’ lives will change positively.” Al Yahyai extended his gratitude to the TRA for its efforts to provide the necessary telecom coverage in these areas.
So far, in Phase 2 of the project, Al Dhahira, North Al Batinah, Buraimi, Musandam and Muscat Governorates, have been approved for the implementation of the stations at select villages after determining the optimal sites, while other locations will soon follow.