Sunday 04 / May / 2025
Muscat: The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has issued Decision No. 1111 to promulgate a “Bylaw on Regulating International Telecommunications Cables”.
The decision seeks to establish a secure and accessible telecom infrastructure in the Sultanate of Oman and develop a flexible regulatory environment that keeps pace with rapid updates in the telecommunications sector. The step will also contribute to realizing the Sultanate of Oman's vision of providing a competitive and investment-friendly environment.
The bylaw stipulates the initiation of a regulatory status for marine communications cables at economic zones and straits without anchoring. It also deals with the regulation of all activities related to extending international communications cables (surveying, installation, operation, maintenance and repair) in the lands of the Sultanate of Oman, Omani waters, Special Economic Zones and the straits. The bylaw also provides for the centralization of approvals to ensure realisation of smooth and uniform procedures.
The decision pertains to licensees and all companies involved in the field of laying international telecommunications cables. It aims to attract investment and develop necessary tools to regulate business doing that is related to laying international telecommunications cables. It also seeks to enhance competitiveness by improving the quality of services, diversifying options and realising competitive pricing. This will eventually lead to better integration among government departments and other parties concerned.
