Omantel, Microsoft to work towards digital smart home

Muscat: Omantel and Microsoft will work to enhance ICT service capabilities in the areas of education, healthcare, digital smart home and business services, underscoring the seamless integration of smart technologies in everyday surroundings, which is known as the ‘Internet of Things’.
The agreement comes after a long history of collaboration between Omantel and Microsoft and aligns with the company’s new 3.0 transformation strategy which maintains Omantel’s position as the digital partner of choice for the years ahead.
Commenting on the new memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed by the leading provider of integrated telecommunication services in the Sultanate with multinational technology company Microsoft, Omantel’s chief executive officer Talal Said Al Mamari said: “At Omantel, we strive to be innovators and pioneers of new technology in the Sultanate. As such, it is vital that we create synergies with industry leaders to deliver a new generation of services and innovations for the continued evolution of the Omantel 3.0 transformation strategy. The agreement with Microsoft comes as a part of our objective to deploy new digital smart home, innovative business and eGovernment services throughout 2016 and beyond.”
“We believe that through mobility and connectivity services, our society can be transformed. The MoU with Microsoft represents a further step in the realisation of our vision for Oman, to become a truly networked society, where every person and every industry is empowered to reach their full potential,” the Omantel chief added.
Highlighting the significance of the agreement, Todd Dick, VP Corporate Business Unit for Omantel noted, “It is deeply pleasing to expand Omantel’s partnership model with Microsoft, one of the world’s most innovative companies and a global technology pioneer. We see Microsoft as a natural partner for Omantel as they bring a vast knowledge, global expertise, and experience for enhancing digitalisation, smart services and customer experience, which are the pillars of our market strategy at Omantel.”
Thomas Pittschieler, transformation executive officer for Omantel said, “In order for us to achieve our strategic goals, we are teaming up with strategic partners that accompany us on our transformation journey. This partnership with Microsoft allows us to boost our capabilities, catering to the ever-increasing requirements of our customers.”
“The fact that Omantel is the preferred partner for leading international companies such as Microsoft is a true reflection of the confidence and trust placed in the company by the market. We have worked hard to establish that trust and look forward to continuing to provide exceptional service to the most prominent brands and entities across the globe,” he added/
“Technology is constantly evolving and the future is intrinsically tied to digitalization. Partnerships such as this will allow Omantel to maintain our position as the leading technology innovator in the Sultanate,” added Thomas Pittschieler.
Witnessing this signing ceremony, Samer Abu-Ltaif, regional general manager of Microsoft Gulf commended the efforts of Omantel in supporting the development of the ICT sector in the Sultanate. He reiterated Microsoft’s commitment to Oman’s national Vision 2020 with regards to the ICT sector and its mandate to modernise the country’s ICT infrastructure and transform the Sultanate of Oman into a sustainable knowledge society.
Sherif Tawfik, country general manager for Microsoft Oman and Bahrain, in his comment, said: “At Microsoft, we are keen to providing our customers with technology innovation that enables them to be more productive in a mobile-first, cloud-first world. We are pleased to partner with Omantel to bring Microsoft’s expertise, solutions and services to the Omani market and successfully contribute in the future of a digitally empowered Oman.”
Sherif reaffirmed Microsoft’s pledge to utilise technology to drive Oman’s competiveness and contribute in the development of the national economic growth.
Omantel is the Sultanate’s first and leading integrated telecommunications services provider, enabling the digital society to flourish, allowing new ways of doing business and delivering a world of information, news and entertainment. Investing in the future of the nation, Omantel connects even the most remote communities of the Sultanate to each other and the rest of the world.
Today, Omantel boldly innovates to deliver the highest levels of customer satisfaction, the broadest and most reliable nationwide network while investing for Oman’s future development.