Measuring the Information Society 2011 < $ \"( $ = / (> 5 %+).0 @$ )4( ( + $ # ( , $ \" 8 + ( $ + , + % % % $ ( $% = -6)/>) ( % + ( + $ ) 5 ($ 5 %+).0= ( \"% \" $ # )?/> $ $ ?@ ()( + ($ $ # % ( ) $ , % (( \" 8 + ($ # % 3 # $ 9 ): 6$ , ( $ E % 3$ + (: ' ,$ @)0 % ;)0( EI$ % 3 $ 9 ( , 3 \" ( ( \"( % + )00E +, E ( \" = % \" $ , \" $ # $ \" 5 %+))E 3 \"?? (,R \" ( * % ,# ( * % ' = 3 0 >) $ (\" # 01 /.$ , (( ( $ + \" =# @$ > +% ( * % L \" # 7$ ) +,( ( $ Box 2.6: Oman’s success in connecting schools to the Internet Oman moved up eight places in the global IDI country ranking. The growth in the number of Internet users and mobile-broad-band mobile-penetration rate). The mobile-cellular sector reached 4.6 million subscriptions in 2010, a 43 per cent increase from 2008. The new entrants’ tariff rates vary, but in general they are relying on low costs and discount plans as their business mo-del. subscriptions contributed to a jump of 24 places in the use sub-index. The number of Internet users per 100 inhabitants increased impressively from 20 to 63 in the space of only two years. Popular use of Internet cafes and the younger generation participating in social media activities and blogging contri-buted 30 This may prompt future adjustments in price plans from the two main Omani providers next year. With the already high penetration rate, we may also expect a slower rate of growth in the following years for Oman’s mature market. to driving the growth in Internet users.26 The Sultanate has decided to invest in ICTs for education, and the Ministry of Education has implemented a number of policies to connect the country’s schools with ICTs, to improve ICT skills and to integrate ICTs in the curriculum.27 The government’s telecom-munication Unlike in the mobile market, Oman’s fixed-line sector is a duo-poly of Omantel and Nawras, which recently acquired licences for fixed lines and international gateway. Although there has been a 12 per cent decrease in fixed lines since 2008, Nawras’ launch of commercial fixed-line services last year may mitigate a future decline in the fixed-line sector. regulatory authority ITA plans to connect all schools to the Internet and to provide all students and teachers with laptops.28 These initiatives are part of the government’s eOman project, which aims at creating a knowledge-based economy and society.29 For 2011, the Europe to India (EIG) and Gulf Bridge International (GBI) submarine cable projects are important to note. Omantel, which is part of the EIG consortium, announced partial activa-tion Fixed-broadband Internet subscriptions in Oman are still fairly low, at two per cent, but more growth is evident in mobile broadband with a penetration rate of 11 per cent (up from six per cent in 2008). of the undersea cable early this year, and this will enhance capacity between the Middle East and Asia and Europe with a full cable system up to 3.84 Tbit/s.31 Omantel has also concluded an agreement to launch this year the GBI cable system, connec-ting Oman’s mobile sector is now highly competitive, with five resel-lers the Gulf countries to Europe and Asia using a submarine entering the market in 2010. Omantel is the main operator fibre cable ring. On account of its geographic location, the country remains a global hub for these projects and will benefit in terms of international broadband traffic capacity when the full networks are completed. along with new provider Nawras. The introduction of resellers is the result of the government’s efforts to create a more com-petitive telecom sector for the saturated market (166 per cent 19