Omantel, the leading integrated telecommunications services provider in the Sultanate, has embarked upon a new package of smart ICT solutions that leverage the company’s 5G capabilities and have the ability to revolutionize operations in Oman’s oil and gas, logistics and transport sectors, which are vital for the country’s sustainable economic growth.
In line with the MoU signed on March 10, 2021, Omantel along with Hutchison Ports Sohar and Huawei launched under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Amur Al Shidhani Undersecretary of Communications at Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology the first 5G smart port PoC demonstration to showcase the result of first stage, aiming to provide highly reliable communication services and improve operational efficiency, accuracy, time management, and security, among other services.
Commenting on this, His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Amur Al Shidhani said “We are pleased to see the fruits of this cooperation between the three partners and the successful adoption of AI and 5G technologies in port operations. We are proud that the Sultanate is leading the way in the Middle East and are confident that this will open the doors for future cooperation and adoption of 4iR technologies in different economic sectors in the Sultanate”.
Talal Said Al Mamari, CEO of Omantel, said ‘’We are very satisfied about POC result in the 5G smart port which is also the first in the Middle East. Omantel’s outlook is focused on leveraging 5G infrastructure beyond network speed and efficiency. We believe 5G has a critical role in our economy and is key to our ongoing economic transformation.’’
“Hutchison Ports is the world’s leading port investor, developer and operator with a network of port operations in 52 ports spanning 26 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australasia. One of Hutchison Ports Sohar’s strategic aim is to become fully automated and engage with customers, stakeholders, and the cargo in the safest and highly efficient manner, which required Hutchison to continuously invest in automated equipment’s and technologically advanced systems and apps for constant service enhancements. This is a creative start to combine 5G and AI technologies with Omani industry. And it is the first 5G smart Port POC in the Middle East.” said Anacin Kum, Chief Executive Officer, Hutchison Ports Sohar.”
Robin Chen, CEO of Huawei Oman, noted: “Omantel and Hutchison Ports Sohar are both leading players in their respective industries. 5G network infrastructure is not only an evolution in the consumer segment but also drives changes and improvements in many vertical industries. We are very proud to be part of the tri-party cooperation, which is the first in GCC to demonstrate the advancement that 5G can bring to ports. We hope this can open doors to more opportunities in introducing 5G to reshape and upgrade vertical industries of Oman”.
Under the first PoC, 6 functions were successfully tested by utilizing 5G with artificial intelligence (AI). This will allow real-time surveillance of many parts of the port’s operations, such as white/black list recognition, intrusion detection/loitering, crowd density and 4K monitoring. Other benefits include leveraging AI for HSE compliance and meeting future cost optimization goals. These technologies can be deployed in other port operation management scenarios and crane management…etc.
Maintaining its position as the Sultanate’s most trusted ICT and digitization partner, Omantel will use this PoC as a springboard to further build and diversify its 5G capacities. The launch is a demonstration of Omantel’s commitment towards its enterprise customers for enabling them to embrace Industry 4.0. And with the guaranteed success of the PoCs, Omantel creates a lasting customer relationship based on its superior ICT infrastructure and efficient service delivery.
Omantel is the Sultanate’s first and leading integrated telecommunications services provider, enabling the digital society to flourish, allowing new ways of doing business and delivering a world of information, news and entertainment. While striving to ensure optimum customer satisfaction, Omantel plays a key social role to provide the required support and subsidy to all sectors of the Omani society.
Source: Hellenic Shipping News
