Latest service from Omantel, thanks:

MUSCAT — Wireless Internet service for post-paid
customers was launched in Oman for the first time here
yesterday. The new facility, named 'Post-paid Wi-Fi', allows ADSL and Dial-up
subscribers to surf the Internet wirelessly in 20 'hotspots' across the Muscat governorate,
senior Omantel officials told a news conference here.
"This new service enables ADSL and Dial-up subscribers to use their
own username and password to surf wireless Internet without purchasing the
prepaid Wi-Fi cards and they will be billed monthly on the basis of their
usage," explained Saleh bin Abdullah Al Farsi, Omantel's
Division Head, Marketing and Customer Service.
He said subscribers could
avail of the new service by filling the necessary forms at the Customer Service
Counters in Muscat or through visiting the company's web site, adding that
Omantel was “eager to expand the use of Internet” in the country.

Good step, Further steps required, think more about basics :)

Oman to allow more Internet service providers

MUSCAT (Reuters) - Oman plans to license several new Internet service providers, in a further liberalisation of its telecommunications sector, state news agency ONA said on Friday.
The small Gulf Arab state's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority said companies with at least two years of technical experience could apply for the licenses beginning on June 2, ONA reported.
Oman's telecoms liberalisation began in 2005 when it issued a second mobile licence to Nawras, a joint venture of Qatar Telecommunications Co. and Omani investors. The move ended the monopoly of Oman Telecommunications Co. (Omantel), the sultanate's largest firm by market value.
Nawras also offers some Internet services.
Omantel's CEO said last month Oman planned to sell a fixed-line telephone licence this year, also ending his company's monopoly in that area.

Oman pulls out of Gulf Air ownership

MANAMA — Sheikh Salman bin Hamed Al Khalifa, deputy ruler of Bahrain, received at Al Rifaa Palace here yesterday Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy and deputy chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council; Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Harthy, transport and communications minister; Darwish bin Ismail Al Balushi, secretary-general of the Finance Ministry and Mohammed bin Sakhar Al A’amri, undersecretary for civil aviation affairs at the Transport and Communications Ministry. During the meeting, Macki and his accompanying delegation conveyed the greetings of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to His Majesty King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa of Bahrain and the deputy king of Bahrain along with His Majesty’s wishes of progress and prosperity to the Kingdom of Bahrain under King Hamad’s wise leadership. During the meeting, Macki and head of the delegation conveyed the Sultanate’s government intention to withdraw from the Gulf Air ownership. He underlined the Sultanate’s keenness on deep historical and brotherly cooperation relations between the two countries leaderships and people in various spheres. In his turn, Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa emphasised the Bahraini government’s appreciation to the Sultanate’s supportive stands for Gulf Air Company in the past 33 years, which undoubtedly reflects deep historic relationship between the two countries. Sheikh Salman discussed with the delegation ways of enhancing cooperation between the two countries, particularly in economic and investments sectors, which would be beneficial for both countries and peoples. The deputy king of Bahrain has asked Macki to convey the greetings of His Majesty King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa of Bahrain along with his greetings to His Majesty the Sultan. The meeting was attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, finance minister in the Kingdom of Bahrain, chairman of Bahraini Properties Holding Company and senior Bahraini officials. Meanwhile, Macki, Al Harthy, Darwish and A’amri held a joint meeting with Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, finance minister in the Kingdom of Bahrain and chairman of Bahrain’s Properties Holding Company in the presence of senior Bahraini officials. The two sides reviewed bilateral relations between the Sultanate and Kingdom of Bahrain in various spheres. Macki, the head of the Omani side, handed over the Sultanate’s letter of intention to withdraw from the Gulf Air company in accordance with the Article 22 of the Gulf Air formation agreement. Hence from today onward, the Gulf Air would be managed by the Bahraini government. The two sides also agreed at the meeting to form a joint committee and its member to be appointed by the two sides to assess the company’s assets and to appoint auditors and technicians for this purpose.