New Fixed Networks research report from Business Monitor International is now available

July 17, 2010 - PRLog -- New end-2009 data from the regulator and Q110 data from the two principal telecoms operators have been factored into our five-year forecasts for Oman's fixed-line, mobile and broadband internet markets this quarter. The result is that we now foresee a faster-than-expected decline in fixed-line usage, even after the entry of Nawras' voice and internet offering, while the initial effects of a new effort to disconnect inactive mobile users has seen BMI lower its 2009 baseline for mobile subscriber forecasts. Similarly, we have downplayed our previous forecasts for broadband services, predicated on the slacker growth reported early in 2010.

According to data published by Omantel and Qatar Telecom (owner of Nawras), the Omani mobile market supported 4.201mn mobile subscribers at the end of March 2010; this represented a y-o-y increase of 25.2%. There was a clear boost in subscriber numbers in Q409 and Q110 that was driven by organic customer additions at Omantel and by sales recorded by the country's MVNOs. Unlike many other regional markets, the uncertain economic climate did not appear to have had a significant impact on Omani mobile customer growth in 2009, and the recovery being seen in 2010 will only serve to improve matters, particularly with regards to 3G take-up. The presence of a large number of inactive SIMs, together with a strong multiple SIM ownership trend, enforces our belief that the new inactive customer disconnection policy will lead to noticeable subscriber number reductions in the months ahead.

Meanwhile, in the fixed-line sector, the latest regulatory data indicate that the fixed-line market is continuing the downward trend first observed in 2009. Independent Nawras launched its first fixed-line voice and data services in May 2010, and the TRA said that it would permit Class II operators to provide VoIP services in competition with Omantel. However, we feel that this may not be enough to offset the decline in fixed-line connections served by the incumbent. Accordingly, our forecasts for this sector are now more downbeat, and we expect the number of connections to fall from 267,300 in 2009 to 233,000 in 2014.

BMI's revised broadband subscriber forecast for Oman cautiously predicts that the sector will grow by more than 27% in 2010. This is slightly stronger growth than that experienced in 2009 but remains well below the growth seen in 2008. Slower growth in 2009 likely reflected the weaker economic climate that prevailed. In 2010, we expect the broadband market to benefit from the launch of WiMAX-based services by Nawras. Omantel has plans to continue investing in the expansion and modernisation of its own broadband infrastructure and has even begun deploying FTTH in selected new residential developments.

For more information or to purchase this report, go to:
-  http://www.fastmr.com/prod/72769_oman_telecommunications_...

Report Table of Contents:

Executive Summary
SWOT Analysis
- Oman Mobile SWOT
- Oman Wireline SWOT
- Oman Political SWOT Industry SWOT
- Oman Economic SWOT
- Oman Business Environment SWOT
Business Environment
- Middle East And North Africa
- Oman
- Table: Regional Telecoms Business Environment Ratings
Industry Forecast Scenario
- Mobile
- Table: Telecoms Sector - Mobile - Historical Data & Forecasts, 2007-2014
- Fixed Line
- Table: Telecoms Sector - Fixed Line - Historical Data & Forecasts, 2007-2014
- Internet
- Table: Oman Internet Historical Data And Forecasts, 2007-2014
Market Data Analysis
- Mobile
- Table: Oman Mobile Subscribers - Q110
- Table: Oman Mobile Net Additions Market
- Customer Divisions
- ARPU
- MVNOs
- 3G
- Mobile Contract Wins
- Table: Mobile Contract Wins
- Mobile Content
- Regional Outlook
- Country Outlook
- Mobile Banking
- Value-Added Services Timeline
- Table: Selected VAS Services
- Mobile Operator Data
- Table: Oman Mobile Market Overview
- Table: Omantel
- Table: Nawras
- Fixed Line
- Fixed Wireless
- VoIP
- Incumbent Privatisation
- Internet
- Broadband
- Wireline Contract Wins
- Table: Wireline Contract Wins
Regulatory Environment & Industry Developments
- Table: Oman Regulatory Bodies And Their Responsibilities
- Legislation And Market Liberalisation
- Regulation
- Licensing And Spectrum
Competitive Landscape
- Key Players
- Table: Key Players: Oman Telecoms Sector
- Table: Omantel Financial Indicators, 2005-2009 (US$mn)
- Company Monitor
- Table: Huawei Financial Highlights
- Table: Huawei - Recent Contract Wins and Other Developments in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Table: Huawei - Recent Contract Wins And Other Developments In North Africa And The Middle East
Operator Profiles
- Omantel
- Nawras Telecom
Regional Telecommunications Penetration Overview
- Fixed Line
- Table: Regional Fixed-Line Penetration Overview
- Mobile
- Table: Regional Mobile Penetration Overview
- Broadband
- Table: Regional Broadband Penetration Overview
Country Snapshot: Oman Demographic Data
- Section 1: Population
- Table: Demographic Indicators, 2005-2030
- Table: Rural/Urban Breakdown, 2005-2030
- Section 2: Education And Healthcare
- Table: Education, 2002-2005
- Table: Vital Statistics, 2005-2030
- Section 3: Labour Market And Spending Power
- Table: Employment Indicators, 1999-2004
- Table: Consumer Expenditure, 2000-2012 (US$)
Glossary Of Terms
- Table: Glossary Of Terms
BMI Methodology
- How We Generate Our Industry Forecasts
- Table: Key Indicators For Telecommunications Industry Forecasts
- Telecoms Business Environment Ratings
- Table: Weighting Of Indicators
- Table: Ratings Indicators
- Sources

About Business Monitor International

Business Monitor International (BMI) offers a comprehensive range of products and services designed to help senior executives, analysts and researchers assess and better manage operating risks, and exploit business opportunities, across 175 markets.  BMI offers three main areas of expertise: Country Risk BMI's country risk and macroeconomic forecast portfolio includes weekly financial market reports, monthly regional Monitors, and in-depth quarterly Business Forecast Reports.  Industry Analysis BMI covers a total of 17 industry verticals through a portfolio of services, including in-depth quarterly Country Forecast Reports.  View more research from Business Monitor International at http://www.fastmr.com/catalog/publishers.aspx?pubid=1010

About Fast Market Research

Fast Market Research is an online aggregator and distributor of market research and business information. We represent the world's top research publishers and analysts and provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available.

For more information about these or related research reports, please visit our website at http://www.fastmr.com or call us at 1.800.844.8156.

# # #

Fast Market Research is an online aggregator and distributor of market research and business information. We represent the world's top research publishers and analysts and provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available.