FRiENDi mobile launch later this year
It’s official now. FRiENDi mobile, the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), will commence operations in Oman later this year. FRiENDi mobile has received the final license from Ministry of Transport and Communication as a mobile reseller, and plans to become the new mobile telephony service provider in the Sultanate.
It is learnt that FRiENDi mobile has actively prepared its Oman foray for the past two years. The company will be based in Al Khuwair in a newly constructed office capable of accommodating up to 100 employees.
Says Antti Arponen, CEO of FRiENDi mobile Oman, “Just like has been the case in other parts of the world, the arrival of FRiENDi mobile will shift the market from a “one-size-fits-all” principle to a segmented market approach, with new targeted propositions for specific groups of customers.”
“In Europe, there are more than 200 mobile service providers which create a healthy and exciting market, and in turn lead to the consumers getting real service related benefits. As FRiENDi mobile is soon to be the new mobile service provider in Oman, we will bring some exciting new ideas that have not been seen before in this market,” added Arponen.
PS: First, Oman Mobile, then Nawras, and now FRiENDi mobile…the more the merrier for us. But, honestly, with so much competition I would like to witness a price war happening over long distance calls.
It is learnt that FRiENDi mobile has actively prepared its Oman foray for the past two years. The company will be based in Al Khuwair in a newly constructed office capable of accommodating up to 100 employees.
Says Antti Arponen, CEO of FRiENDi mobile Oman, “Just like has been the case in other parts of the world, the arrival of FRiENDi mobile will shift the market from a “one-size-fits-all” principle to a segmented market approach, with new targeted propositions for specific groups of customers.”
“In Europe, there are more than 200 mobile service providers which create a healthy and exciting market, and in turn lead to the consumers getting real service related benefits. As FRiENDi mobile is soon to be the new mobile service provider in Oman, we will bring some exciting new ideas that have not been seen before in this market,” added Arponen.
PS: First, Oman Mobile, then Nawras, and now FRiENDi mobile…the more the merrier for us. But, honestly, with so much competition I would like to witness a price war happening over long distance calls.
UPDATE: Antti Arponen, CEO of FRiENDi mobile Oman, organized a press conference in Muscat today (June 28) only to say, “I can’t reveal anything” to questions posed by members of the media. Our little birdie ponders: If they don’t have to say anything, why did they want to meet the press. PR Momentum, the public relations agency handling the FRiENDi mobile account in Oman, needs to get its act together. For PR lessons, keep any eye on Nawras. They get it right nine of ten times.
Related link:
FRiENDi mobile to launch in Oman soon
What is MVNO?
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9 Comments:
Good news! according to the link you provided, we will be witnessing infrastructure and service competition with the existence of 2 operators and MVNO. Is Oman the first country in the middle east?
bader
Thanks for dropping by. Injaz too is in the fray, and Muscati says altogether 5 MVNOs are entering the market. Interesting times ahead. I guess FRiENDi has plans to enter Jordan.
This is a perfect example why I hate Oman's press so much. They take press releases for real news. Friendi is acting as if it is Oman's third mobile operator when in fact they are just one of 5 or 6 newly licensed MVNO's. They are blitzing the press with releases and the newspapers are printing all of them as if they are obligated to. Friendi has been in the press every single day since Thursday without actually giving out any real information about what they are doing.
Yesterday the TRA finally put out their press release with the names of 5 other MVNOs which they have licensed.
TRA issues 5 new licences to basic mobile service resellers
MUSCAT — The Telecommunication Regula-tory Authority (TRA) yesterday issued Class II licences to five companies as resellers of basic mobile services in the Sultanate. The licences, granted to Injaz International, Kalam Telecommunications, Majan Telecom, Mazoon Mobile and Arab Link...
I'd link to Times of Oman, except that Google says it's bad for my health :)
muscati
Since Oman is an advertising-driven market, advertisers are treated as kings, and accordingly all their blah-blahs make into mainstream media. Yes, press has to crosscheck on veracity of these releases, then again, they have limited resources to do certain things. Actually, I blame the PR companies for spreading false stories like “third/fourth mobile operator”, etc, and make a mess of the whole situation. To avoid these confusions, TRA must come up with releases very often. Like I wrote earlier, Friendi CEO refused to answer important queries from the media on their launch, tactics, etc. Only possible solution for the journos at the venue was to do a narco analysis on the CEO to get things out of his mind :D
Interesting article from a website I only discovered today called Comm.ae:
Comments attributed to Dubai-based, pan-regional mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that it is set to launch mobile services in Oman before the end of the year could potentially harm the company’s efforts to conclude a wholesale deal with one of the two incumbent operators, sources familiar with the situation told Comm.
Today, Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) confirmed it had issued five class two licences in the sultanate, allowing the resale of basic mobile services. Friendi Mobile, through a bidder called Arab Link was awarded one of the five-year licences, together with Injaz International, Kalam Telecommunications, Majan Telecom, and Mazoon Mobile. The cost of each licence is OR2,500 (US$6,500).
In the last few days Friendi Mobile has stated it would become Oman’s third mobile operator and the first MVNO in the region, with plans to launch services later this year.
“I understand Friendi hasn’t exactly done itself any favours by spreading the rumours in the press about it being awarded a third licence in Oman, and being the first MVNO to launch in Oman - before it even has finalised a wholesale agreement,” an Omani source told Comm.
(you can read the rest on the site)
muscati
Interesting read...thanks for the link.
Any explanation for TRA's statement that none of these 5 firms has been issued an MVNO license and that MVNO license is separate from what they have been given now?
muscati
Even I was wondering why TRA was not mentioning the word MVNO, but merely said "re-sellers" in its statement. So does this mean these firms have to get another approval in the form of MVNO license? It's getting complicated.
or if you could give me the link as top where i can find the details myself would be very helpful.
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