Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) organised a community dialogue session under its “Constructive Dialogue” initiative to address the growing threat of electronic fraud and the challenges posed by the sharing of unlicensed networks. The session brought together representatives from various segments of society to strengthen awareness and encourage public participation in regulatory solutions.
The initiative aims to enhance direct engagement with the community, build a more secure and trusted telecommunications environment, and improve service quality by involving users in shaping regulatory and oversight measures. Eng. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hadabi, official spokesperson for the TRA, said the session focused on raising awareness of electronic fraud as telecommunications and digital services become increasingly widespread across all sectors.
The discussion also highlighted the evolving nature of cybercrime. Rashid bin Salem Al Salmi, CEO of Inside Oman Company, noted that AI-powered, non-random attacks now account for nearly 80% of cyberattacks. These include fake online marketing schemes, data-harvesting operations, automated hacking attempts, and highly targeted attacks on individuals and organisations. He explained that artificial intelligence has significantly increased the speed, scale, and sophistication of fraud through automation and deepfake technologies.
Participants also examined the issue of unlicensed network sharing, reviewing legal definitions, the adequacy of existing penalties, and the associated security risks. The impact of such practices on service quality was discussed alongside broader cybercrime methods, emerging fraud trends, regulatory preparedness, and the effectiveness of current frameworks in closing exploitable gaps. The session concluded with a summary of key discussions and proposals, reinforcing the TRA’s commitment to building a safer, more trustworthy communications environment through community engagement.
