Omantel, the pioneer integrated telecom services provider in the Sultanate of Oman with more than 2.7 million subscribers, has selected Ericsson to build its 4G/LTE network and transform Omantel’s Radio Access Network (RAN).

Through the deployment of 4G/LTE, Omantel will provide its customers with an enhanced mobile-broadband experience offering higher data speeds and faster access to a wide range of new and innovative multimedia applications, as well as more responsive data services.

Samy Ahmed Abdulqadir Al Ghassany, COO Omantel, said: “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.”

The agreement marks the beginning of a new managed services partnership between the two companies, in which Ericsson provided Omantel its assurance   of operational efficiency and improved network quality.

Ray Hassan, President Ericsson Gulf Countries, said: “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. We will continue to enhance the strategic partnership with Omantel to build an advanced mobile broadband network in Oman,”

Ericsson and Omantel share a longstanding relationship which goes back more than 30 years. During this period, Ericsson has contributed toward the development of the telecommunication industry in Oman through the implementation of a number of projects, including both traditional fixed-line services and mobile services. Furthermore to that, it is also worth mentioning that currently Ericsson is Omantel’s sole packet core vendor to both 2G and 3G data services.