Do the Telecom Giants in Oman – Omantel and Ooredoo have the Same Financial Status?

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the difference between the financial position of Omantel and Ooredoo and to investigate the performance efficiency of Omantel and Ooredoo.

Design/methodology/approach: The secondary data was obtained from the annual reports of Oman's major telecom providers listed in the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) for the period 2015 to 2020. The data collected from the financial statements were analyzed using ratio analyses with the help of excel.

Findings: The study revealed that Omantel had a better performance compared to the private telecom sector – Ooredoo in terms of current assets, non-current assets, shareholders’ equity, operating profit, and net profit. The study further confirmed that Omantel performed well over the years 2015 to 2020.

Research limitations/implications: The study confirmed that the Oman telecom financial performances can be measured using current assets, non-current assets, liabilities, shareholders’ equity, operating expenses, operating profit, and net profit which can be a good measure to adjudge the financial performances of the telecom sector in Oman.

Social implications: The study helps the stakeholders of the Oman telecom to understand the factors and the telecom-related customer services that might help to enrich the financial performances of the Oman telecommunication sector and to make necessary changes in the strategy and suitable decisions accordingly.

Originality/Value: The study was restricted to two major Oman telecom service providers selected and the study had relied mostly on quantitative techniques involving financial statement analyses. The study can be extended to all the telecom providers in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries including the most determining factor viz. growth performance.