Vodafone is expected to begin operators as Oman’s third mobile network operator in 2020.

Vodafone’s operations in the sultanate will begin next year, following a 15-year partnership signed with Oman Future Telecommunication, an Oman 70 Holding company. Dieggo Massida, the CEO of partner markets at Vodafone, said “raising the level of Omani labor is the core focus of our partnership.”

As part of the agreement, Oman Future Telecommunications will join Vodafone’s global partner programmed and form a board of directors for the company, which will also include support and investment from the Omani government. Vodafone Group is one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies and provides a range of services including voice, messaging, data and fixed communications.

Vodafone Group has mobile operations in 25 countries, partners with mobile networks in 44 more, and fixed broadband operations in 19 markets. As of 31 December 2018, Vodafone Group had approximately 700 million mobile customers and 21 million fixed broadband customers, including all of the customers in Vodafone’s joint ventures and associates.

Under the non-equity agreement, the companies will work together to roll out a new mobile network and develop a number of new services using the Vodafone brand in Oman to drive the next stage in the development of the country’s telecommunications market. The development of the new network under the Vodafone brand in Oman will commence immediately with commercial launch planned for the second half of 2020.