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Singapore’s fibre broadband service provider ViewQwest has exported its local network know-how to Oman, which plans to bring fibre links to some 90 per cent of homes in its capital city of Muscat and 35 per cent of other governorates.
This translates to some 225,000 homes in Muscat, which is expected to start trialing Internet surfing at speeds of up to 1Gbps – or 100 times faster than current technologies – on November 18.Commercial launch is scheduled for an unspecified date next year.
Oman has 500,000 households in total.
The architecture of Oman’s fibre broadband network is similar to that of the Singapore government-backed Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (NGNBN), from which ViewQwest leased wholesale fibre capacity to provide a retail service.
In Singapore, fibre links are brought all the way to homes with a termination point installed within the home. Similarly, Oman’s government-owned Oman Broadband Company is bringing fibre links to just outside homes. When a customer places an order for broadband service, the fibre optic cable is then pulled into the home with the installation of a termination point.
“We are inspired by Singapore’s strategic approach to the implementation of NGNBN and we hope to emulate that success in Oman as we connect homes and offices nationwide,” said Ghaith Al Darmaki, programme director of Oman’s sole fibre broadband service provider, Awasr.
“Our network has been built using the same equipment and methods as ViewQwest,” he added.
Said Vignesa Moorthy, chief executive officer of ViewQwest: “We are proud of our role in Singapore’s successful transition to a smart nation and look forward to creating a similar experience in Oman.”
ViewQwest is not the only local fibre broadband provider which ventured overseas. Late last year, MyRepublic started its fibre broadband services for business users in New Zealand.
The Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), which spearheaded Singapore’s NGNBN, said it is delighted that local companies are making waves overseas.
“The learnings that these companies have picked up through their successes here will be instrumental in helping them address the global market opportunities to propel their international growth,” said IDA assistant chief executive Khoong Hock Yun.
