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Muscat – New Business Caller ID Feature to Combat Fraudulent Calls

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of Oman has announced its intention to introduce a business caller ID feature, as part of efforts to curb fraudulent calls and build consumer trust through advanced digital solutions. The announcement was made during the TRA’s annual media briefing, where the authority’s achievements in the 2024 telecom and postal sectors were reviewed.

According to Omar bin Hamdan al Ismaili, CEO of TRA, new regulations will be issued to ensure the accuracy of billing systems used by telecom operators in the country. This measure aims to prevent fraud and ensure that consumers are not mischarged for services they have not used.

  • Mobile subscriptions grew 7% in 2024 to reach 7.5 million, while IoT subscriptions surged 72% to 1.1 million.
  • Fixed broadband subscriptions increased 2% and the number of 5G stations rose 12%.
  • 6,500 telecom towers have been upgraded from 3G to 4G and 5G, and an additional 545 5G stations are expected to be built this year, taking the total to 5,856 – a 13% annual increase.

High-speed fixed broadband now covers 90% of residential units, with 97% of public schools also connected. According to Ismaili, all public schools in Oman now have full Internet coverage.

Telecom Sector 2023 Revenue (RO) 2024 Revenue (RO) Year-over-Year Growth
Revenues RO 872mn RO 920mn 4%
Postal Sector RO 24.4mn RO 27.2mn 3%

TRA secured a leading position among government service institutions for digital transformation, and Oman advanced 26 places to rank 22nd globally in the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index. The country also ranks among the world’s top 28 nations for average mobile data download speed.

Key Achievements of TRA in 2024

  • 6,500 telecom towers have been upgraded from 3G to 4G and 5G, and an additional 545 5G stations are expected to be built this year, taking the total to 5,856 – a 13% annual increase.
  • Mobile subscriptions grew 7% in 2024 to reach 7.5 million, while IoT subscriptions surged 72% to 1.1 million.
  • Fixed broadband subscriptions increased 2% and the number of 5G stations rose 12%.
  • High-speed fixed broadband now covers 90% of residential units, with 97% of public schools also connected.

Revenue Growth and Diversification

The telecom sector generated approximately RO920mn in revenues in 2024, up 4% compared to 2023. Revenues from the postal sector increased 3% to RO27.2mn.

“The revenue growth reflects broader economic expansion and diversification of services,” said Omar bin Hamdan al Ismaili, CEO of TRA. “The number of companies licensed to provide telecom services rose 9% to 24, while those authorised to offer such services grew 63% to 399 with 72% of these being SMEs.”

The number of companies licensed to provide telecom services rose 9% to 24, while those authorised to offer such services grew 63% to 399 with 72% of these being SMEs. In the postal sector, the number of licensed operators increased 21% to 74 companies, 80% of which are SMEs. Incoming international postal shipments surged 60% in 2024 to 3.2mn.

TRA secured a leading position among government service institutions for digital transformation, and Oman advanced 26 places to rank 22nd globally in the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index. The country also ranks among the world’s top 28 nations for average mobile data download speed.

Consumer Trust and Digital Solutions

According to Omar bin Hamdan al Ismaili, CEO of TRA, the new business caller ID feature will help build consumer trust through advanced digital solutions. The feature will ensure that consumers are not mischarged for services they have not used.

“We are committed to providing our customers with a safe and secure environment, and we believe that this new feature will play a significant role in achieving that goal,” said Ismaili.

TRA has secured a leading position among government service institutions for digital transformation, and Oman has made significant strides in advancing its digital infrastructure. The country has ranked among the top 28 nations for average mobile data download speed, and its telecommunications infrastructure has improved significantly over the past few years.

Conclusion

TRA’s efforts to introduce a business caller ID feature and other digital solutions demonstrate its commitment to building consumer trust and improving the overall digital experience in Oman.

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