Widespread 5G expected in Oman before other regions

5G networks are expected to roll out in Oman and other GCC countries before other parts of the world, according to Ericsson.

Salman Ateeque, Head of Network Solutions GCC at Ericsson, said that the Middle east region, including Oman, is developing faster than other regions.
Ateeque said, "If we take the Middle East and Africa region, then the percentage of 4G subscriptions that could turn to 5G is lower, but that is because there are large parts of Africa that are still developing their own LTE usage.
 

"If we take the Middle East market and Oman alone, based on our analysis, then the region is closer to Latin America and North-East Asia, which may develop more 5G users faster than parts of Europe," he added, explaining that this rapid development would be due to high cooperation by Middle Eastern governments and companies," he added.

Ericsson's June Mobility report read, "In the Middle East and North Africa We anticipate commercial 5G deployments with leading communication service providers during 2019, and significant volumes in 2021."
 

Eng. Mohamed Al Kindi, Executive Director of the Regulatory and Compliance Unit at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), said the the exciting developments will be met by cooperation in Oman.
 

AL Kindi said, "The TRA is committed to the proper regulatory role of ensuring that Oman's telecom sector is in sync with global technologies."
 

He added that in the case of 5G, a dedicated unit has been created in Oman in coordination with other authorities as well as representatives of service providers in the country.
 

These comments came during the Ericsson & Oman Telecommunications Regulation Authority's Technology Day Experience, which took place on Wednesday.