The Oman Telecommunications Company (OmanTel) has
successfully implemented Cisco networking, management and security products
in the ambition of providing nationwide Internet services.
The project, developed in cooperation with Cisco Global Partner, NCR, is
valued at almost $2 million.
Abdulla Bin Issa Al-Rawahy, president of OmanTel, said Oman is experiencing
strong growth in Internet usage, adding that a two-year expansion plan was
developed to support a number of new services, and to extend Internet
availability in Muscat, Salalah and other regions.
“We chose Cisco as our key technology provider because it has a solid
pedigree in telecommunications and Internet networking,” he added.
Currently in the midst of a privatisation initiative, the organisation
wanted to invest in leading-edge technology
that would be able to support OmanTel’s expansion, and any additional
services.
OmanTel Internet consists of one site in Muscat with one point of presence
(2160 lines), connected via a 256kbps link to Salalah (which offers 180
lines).
The project was started in December 1998, and it is essentially complete.
The final touches are being put on the caching and security systems as usage
ramps up.