Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has introduced new regulations tightening control over the mobile number portability process to enhance competition among telecom operators. The rules, effective immediately, prohibit operators from contacting customers who have initiated a number transfer request to influence their decision or offer retention incentives.
The updated framework establishes a centralized system managed by the TRA to handle number portability proceedings, aiming to simplify and standardize transfers between service providers. This centralized approach is intended to minimize direct intervention by the departing operator and bolster regulatory supervision.
Under the regulations, once a subscriber formally requests to transfer their number, the losing telecom provider is barred from reaching out to the customer with offers or communications intended to dissuade them from switching. This marks a shift away from the previous practice where operators would often attempt last-minute retention efforts to keep subscribers.
The TRA’s initiative seeks to encourage competition driven by service quality, pricing, and customer experience rather than inducements tied to the portability process. Telecom companies will need to focus more on maintaining competitive pricing, network reliability, and customer service throughout the subscription period to retain their client base.
Additionally, the regulations set a fee of 1.5 Omani riyals (RO) for each successfully completed number transfer covered under the new rules. Mobile number portability is viewed as a critical factor in fostering a competitive telecom market by enabling subscribers to switch providers without losing their existing phone numbers. This ability lowers the barriers to switching and allows consumers to make clearer comparisons among operators based on factors such as price, network coverage, connection speed, and service reliability.
The move by Oman’s regulator aligns with broader efforts in the region to strengthen telecom competition through fairer market practices and enhanced consumer protections.