Telecom Lead Middle East: Omantel has signed managed services LTE 4G deal with Ericsson.
Omantel has more than 2.7 million subscribers in Oman.
The telecom operator has selected Ericsson to build its 4G/LTE network and transform Omantel’s Radio Access Network (RAN).
4G/LTE deployment will enable Omantel to provide enhanced mobile-broadband experience offering higher data speeds and faster access to a range of new and innovative multimedia applications, as well as more responsive data services.
Earlier press reports suggested that Omantel selected telecom equipment providers Ericsson and Huawei for launching TD-LTE services. The size of the project is RO 27.4 million. Nokia Siemens Networks, ZTE and Alcatel-Lucent were also in the race.
The number of LTE subscribers in the Middle East is projected to reach 7.49 million by 2015, up from 0.11 million as of end-2011.
During the earlier trials during the Salalah Tourism Festival in Dhofar Governorate and the Comex ICT exhibition last year, TD-LTE technology delivered speeds in excess of 100 Mbps.
During the press announcement about Ericsson, Omantel did not mention about its earlier deal with Huawei.
“Ericsson’s track record in LTE makes the perfect foundation to support us in providing the service. We are positive that, through this collaboration, we will be able to provide our customers with the best end-user experience,” said Samy Ahmed Abdulqadir Al Ghassany, COO, Omantel.
“Omantel will gain deployment flexibility and simplicity from LTE by providing best in class services to their valued customers. The continuous evolution of Omantel’s network performance demonstrates the strength of our ongoing partnership, and also demonstrates Ericsson’s commitment to deploying high-quality networks for customers using Ericsson’s LTE technology,” said Ray Hassan, president Ericsson Gulf Countries.