An article, not meant to be..

Some two weeks ago, I sent to the theweek my third article containing big criticization about a certain organization here in Oman in line with it's competition when doors for the global markets were opened. It was rejected because it was found to be biased, misinformative and more-over, pointing hands at well deserved money-makers in the industry.

Today I bring this article to you to let you read it and tell me what you think about the article and if the right decision was made or what opinion you would have if you were the editor.

“Oman Mobile vs. Nawras: The Unfair Advantage”

Oman has finally decided to go on with the privatization plan of OmanTel and introducing competition into the telecom industry by adding a new mobile communications company, namely; Nawras, as part of the deal to be a member of the World Trade Organization.

But how far has that been achieved?

On one hand, OmanTel has been turned – by name – into a private company, until recently. But that still doesn’t mean that Oman has done its part, yet. It has a long stride to go on.

The introduction of competition by introducing a new mobile carrier such as Nawras has been hailed as a great move as it frees the consumers of having to deal with just one mobile company; Oman Mobile. But that’s just it. Nawras is by name and action a joint investment between Q-Tel and a group of Omani investors. However, on the other hand, Oman Mobile is still under the umbrella of OmanTel, a government-run company. Its funding come through local and international tenders and government investments. That is just one of the unfair advantages that Oman Mobile holds against Nawras.

Before the introduction of such competition, a royal decree was issued to establish a local Telecommunications Regulatory Authority here in Oman. Unknown to many, the head of the TRA, is the Minister of Telecommunications and also the President of the OmanTel Board Member table. The question here lies, how do you expect fair competition to be the focus if that was the case?

Not only does Oman Mobile hold that as an advantage, it also lacks the inspiration to innovate. Let’s be serious, here. How many times have we all seen Nawras come up with an offer that Oman Mobile counters with similarity?

Nawras may only have 100,000 mobile subscribers currently, with Oman Mobile boasting about over 1 million, but what Oman Mobile loses out on here is the quality and not the quantity. The network is worse as many subscribers to their network always complain about. Quality in service is also unavailable; you actually waste more than 5 minutes on the phone waiting for someone to pick up at the other end just so you can enquire.

Nothing’s perfect in this world. But that doesn’t mean that we leave such taqqy issues to solve all by themselves. The truth needs to be known.