The government of Oman supplies efficient and reliable services. There is no main gas service but bottled gas is available for cooking. The electricity supply in Oman is 220/240 volts and 50 cycles. Most of the water supply is from sea. The main supply of water is very reliable but not all Muscat’s residential areas are connected to it.
Therefore you will have to rely on a water bowser to fill your tank every 2 or 3 days. Water trucks are also available for domestic use. Oman’s water is safe to drink as it is purified eight times. Because of the heavy chlorination, most of the people prefer to drink one of the many locally bottled mineral water. Sceptic tanks must be emptied regularly by one of the yellow sewerage trucks. The easiest way to order a sewerage truck is to call the number on the back of one of the yellow truck. The rubbish disposal system in Oman is efficient. Large metal containers are placed in every residential street. Rubbish trucks clean skips regularly.
To apply for a landline connection you should submit a completed application form in English, your passport and a copy, visa and a tenancy agreement and also a deposit of RO 200 and RO 10 per installation. Quarterly rental is RO 3 and calls are charged according to distance and time. Mobile phones are an integral part of Oman life. Both Oman mobile and Nawras offer a huge range of services. Internet use is still in its infancy in Oman. Only 80% of the population subscribes to Internet services. Not all areas of Muscat are wired for high-speed broadband connection. Utility bills are paid at Oman Investment and Finance Company (OIFC) or through your bank or ATM.
The postal system is reliable and efficient. There is no postal delivery service to home address. All mail is routed through the Central Post Office and then distributed to post office boxes in central location. Most people use their company address, but it is also possible to get an individual PO box number. There is regular airmail service and an express mail service and most of the leading courier services have branches in Oman. Oman has a number of commercial radio stations. The station operates daily from 06:00 to midnight and the schedule is printed in the local newspapers.
Oman T V is the only local television channel in Oman. The show on this channel are mainly Arabic, although you’ll get the occasional film or series in English. There is a wider choice of programmes offered by satellite T V. Equipments can be bought from main dealers or any of the small electrical shops. Second-hand dishes and decoders are also available. Both in private and public sectors there is a high general standard of health care in Oman. There are many private specialist clinics, private and government hospitals. All the staff here is qualified professionals. Most of the pharmacies are open from 09:00 to 21:00 on Saturdays to Thursdays. Emergency ambulance services are available. Many companies provide health insurance for their employers.