MUSCAT: Oman has slashed roaming mobile charges, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has announced. The cost of mobile data per megabyte has been brought down to 327 baisa from 500 baisa, reflecting a reduction of 35 per cent, according to TRA. The new rates are effective from April 1.
According to the new tariffs, the charges for receiving calls in the GCC region have been set at 108 baiza, down from 135 baisa.
The outgoing calls to other GCC countries, including the home country, have been set at 238 baisa, down from 246 baisa per minute. The new regulations apply to voice calls, mobile data and SMS services. “This is in line with the initiative of GCC regulators, under the umbrella of the GCC General Secretariat, to regulate the prices of roaming services within the Gulf countries. The new price caps are effective from April 1, 2017,” TRA said.
It added that the reduction is part of previous initiatives towards facilitating the availability of roaming services for GCC nationals and residents within reasonable and affordable price levels, in view of the expected positive impact on enhancing social ties and economic integration in the GCC counties.
“The first roaming regulation issued in 2010 covered only voice calls made while roaming and was implemented gradually over a two-year period, with full implementation in February 2012. The second roaming regulation, which started in the month of April last year with price caps for the reduction of roaming charges on both inter-operator wholesale level and end user retail level is taking place gradually over a period of three years for voice calls and SMS services, and over a five-year period for mobile data services,” TRA said.
Welcoming the decisions, citizens and residents said GCC roaming prices are still very high, compared with the rest of the world. “Good, that they are bringing down the price, but it is still very high if you compare with India,” Suresh Kumar, an Indian expat living in Oman said.
Mohammed, who frequently travels within the GCC, said incoming calls within the GCC countries should be made free of charge. “But we don’t mind paying for our outgoing calls,” he said.
