| Telecommunications in Oman | |
|---|---|
| Country |  Oman |
| Regulator | Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) |
| Country calling code | +968 |
| Country-code TLD | .om |
| Main mobile operators | Omantel;Ooredoo Oman; Vodafone Oman |
| Main fixed providers | Omantel; Ooredoo Oman; Awasr |
| Key public statistics source | National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI) |
Telecommunications in Oman describes the fixed and mobiletelecommunications infrastructure,Internet access, broadcasting distribution, satellite and submarine connectivity, and sector regulation in theSultanate of Oman. The sector is regulated by theTelecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), established in 2002 to liberalise and promote telecommunications services, and later mandated to regulate postal services in 2012.[1]
Official statistics published by the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI) indicate that, at the end of December 2025, Oman recorded 8,054,413 mobile telecommunications subscriptions (includingmachine-to-machine/IoT subscriptions), 5,421,911 mobile broadband subscriptions, 598,907 fixed broadband subscriptions, and 443,320 fixed telephone subscriptions;FTTH/B subscriptions were reported at 356,897 (about 59.6% of all fixed broadband lines).[2]
Oman’s retail mobile market is served by three primary mobile network operators (MNOs)—Omantel,Ooredoo Oman, and Vodafone Oman—while fixed services are provided by Class I licensees (including Omantel, Ooredoo Oman, and Awasr).[3] The TRA also licenses wholesale and “digital infrastructure” providers such as open-access fibre and passive tower companies, as well as international gateway and satellite public service providers.[3]
The state historically provided telecommunications through public-sector entities before the establishment of the General Telecommunications Organisation (GTO) byRoyal Decree No. 43 of 1980, with a mandate to provide domestic and international telecommunications services.[4] Omantel states that it was incorporated as a closed joint stock company in 1999 and was granted sole responsibility for fixed and mobile telecommunications services in Oman prior to further liberalisation measures in the 2000s.[4]
The TRA was established in 2002 as part of a liberalisation framework intended to promote competition and develop the sector.[1] Omantel reports that the government sold 30% of its stake when Omantel became a publicly listed company in 2005, and that a second Class I mobile licence was awarded in 2005 (the operator that later rebranded as Ooredoo Oman).[4]
Omantel further reports that mobile resellers launched in 2009, and that Awasr was granted a fixed Class I licence in 2012.[4]
In 2021, a third Class I mobile licence was awarded to Oman Future Telecommunications Company (operating as Vodafone Oman), marking the transition from a long-standing two-operator structure to three MNOs in the retail mobile market.[4][5]
TheTRA is the implementing authority for Oman’s telecommunications policies and is responsible for sector liberalisation and market development under the telecommunications legal framework.[1] The TRA maintains licensing frameworks (including Class I public telecommunications services licences) and publishes public information on licence holders and sector activities through official portals.[3]
Oman uses a class-based licensing regime. In broad terms:
Spectrum allocation and refarming underpin Oman’s transition from legacy mobile generations to newer technologies. Trade reporting describes a nationwide phase-out of3G networks to refarm spectrum for4G and5G services, with nationwide shutdown described as complete by July 2025 and reported population coverage levels of 99% for 4G and 90% for 5G after completion (as reported by trade press citing regulator and operator information).[7]
In March 2025, the TRA announced allocation of parts of the 26 GHz band for experimentation and development relating to 5G and 6G technologies (reported by international telecom policy trackers referencing the TRA announcement).[8]
Operators have also publicly referenced steps towards5G-Advanced / “5.5G” and5G standalone network capabilities. For example, Ooredoo Oman announced a successful “5.5G” technology test in company communications, and Omantel announced a major network upgrade intended to enable full 5G standalone capabilities in company statements carried by regional business press.[9][10]
Oman’scountry calling code is +968 under theE.164 numbering plan.[11] The country-codetop-level domain is.om, administered under the globalIANA Root Zone Database.[12]
The TRA has issued regulations governing web-based services, including provisions that enable regulatory action against services and websites in specific circumstances (for example, non-compliance with licensing or other regulatory requirements).[13]
Oman’s regulatory framework has historically treatedVoice over IP (VoIP) services as a regulated category. A 2012 TRA decision on VoIP provided that public voice licensees may provide VoIP services in accordance with the Telecommunications Act and licences, and also described the possibility of exemptions for certain personal-use applications (subject to authority conditions).[14] During the COVID-19 period, Reuters reported that Oman enabled certain internet calling tools for business continuity (while noting continued restrictions on some consumer apps at that time).[15]
In 2021, Reuters reported that Oman blocked the Clubhouse audio app and that authorities cited licensing/permit issues in public statements.[16] In late 2024, local reporting stated that users reported WhatsApp audio and video calling functioning without a VPN, while also noting the absence of a contemporaneous official announcement.[17]
The TRA’s Class I list includes mobile and fixed operators, international gateways, and infrastructure-related licensees (including tower and wholesale networks).[3]
As of the mid-2020s, Oman’s retail mobile market is served by three primary MNOs:
Fixed services are provided by Class I fixed licensees including Omantel and Ooredoo Oman, and by other fixed providers listed by the TRA (including Awasr).[3] NCSI reports fixed telephone subscription totals without limiting the category to legacy copper access lines, reflecting the transition from legacy fixed lines toIP telephony-style fixed voice products in some markets.[2]
International gateway (IGW) licensees enable international connectivity (for example, international voice signalling/interconnect, international IP connectivity, and operation of gateway facilities as permitted by the licence). The TRA’s Class I list includes multiple IGW providers, including Omantel, Ooredoo Oman, TEO, Connect Arabia International, Awasr and Vodafone Oman (as shown on the TRA Class I register).[3] Connect Arabia’s licence documentation describes obligations around international interconnection agreements and related regulatory approvals.[18]
The TRA publishes a current list of Class II licensees and the scope/status of each licence.[6]
| Licensee | Scope of licence (as listed by TRA) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Awaser Oman & Partners SAOC | Resale of public mobile service | Licensed |
| Majan Telecommunications LLC | Resale of public mobile service | Licensed |
| Beyond One Oman LLC | Resale of public mobile service | Licensed |
| Al Bahlani Communication & Technology | Resale of public mobile service | Expired (per TRA listing) |
Oman’s national networks combine terrestrialoptical fiber routes,microwave backhaul and access networks for both fixed and mobile services. Fixed broadband growth in the 2020s has been primarily associated with expansion of fibre-based access (FTTH/B), with NCSI reporting FTTH/B subscriptions of 356,897 at end of December 2025 (327,015 at end of December 2024), alongside an overall fixed broadband base of 598,907 at end of December 2025 (582,900 at end of December 2024).[2]
Oman’s fibre rollout includes a wholesale/open-access component. Oman Broadband states that it is a government company founded in 2014 (part of the ITHCA Group, affiliated with the Oman Investment Authority) with a focus on deploying broadband infrastructure that provides “equal and open access” to service providers on a wholesale basis.[19] Oman Broadband has also publicly described rollout methods including fibre deployment projects using existing electricity pole infrastructure in some areas (as reported by regional business press).[20]
The TRA also licenses passive telecommunications infrastructure providers, reflecting policy emphasis on site sharing and separation of “passive” assets (towers, rooftops, shelters and related site facilities) from “active” radio networks. Oman Tower Company states that it provides passive infrastructure solutions including greenfield towers, rooftops, and in-building solutions; it is also listed as a Class I licensee by the TRA.[21][3]
Oman’s international connectivity is supported by multiplesubmarine communications cable systems with landing stations in Oman, alongside terrestrial cross-border routes. Omantel’s wholesale materials describe connectivity to more than 20 undersea cable systems and operation of five separate landing stations in Oman, positioning the Sultanate as a regional connectivity hub for routes linking the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe.[22] Equinix’s Oman-related announcement similarly described Omantel as having investments in over 20 submarine cable systems and five unique submarine cable landing stations in Oman.[23]
Independent cable-industry directories list multiple cable systems landing in Oman (including systems with landing points in Muscat and Salalah).[24]
NCSI reports international internet bandwidth capacity (as a system-level indicator) of 4,102,130 Mbps at end of December 2025, compared with 3,572,065 Mbps at end of December 2024.[2]
Oman has developed anInternet exchange point to support domestic and regional IP peering. Oman-IX was announced in 2023 by a partnership involving Awasr, AMS-IX and Alliance Networks, and was officially launched in April 2024 (as reported by AMS-IX and data centre industry press).[25][26]
Satellite communications in Oman include geostationary and non-geostationary services used for enterprise connectivity, maritime and aeronautical communications, broadcast distribution, and broadband in remote areas. The TRA’s Class I register includes satellite public telecommunications service categories and named licensees, reflecting a licensing approach that covers service operation as well as associated ground segment/international gateway arrangements.[3]
In the mid-2020s, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband services were also licensed in Oman; the TRA Class I register listsStarlink (Starlink Muscat) among Class I licensees.[3] LEO services are generally presented as a complement to terrestrial networks in sparsely populated or difficult-to-serve areas, while also being adopted by mobile, maritime and enterprise users depending on service authorisation and commercial availability (as reflected by the presence of LEO providers in official licensee registers).[3]
NCSI reported 443,320 fixed telephone subscriptions at end of December 2025, compared with 435,482 at end of December 2024.[2] Fixed voice services are provided by Class I fixed licensees and may includeIP telephony offerings as well as legacy fixed-line services.[3]
Oman uses country calling code +968.[11]
NCSI reports 8,054,413 total mobile telecommunications subscriptions at end of December 2025. Within this total,prepaid subscriptions were reported at 5,148,166,postpaid subscriptions at 1,273,795, withmachine-to-machine/IoT subscriptions reported separately at 1,632,452.[2]
Oman’s mobile sector includesGSM (2G),UMTS (3G),LTE (4G) and5G services across licensed operators.[3] The phase-out of 3G networks in 2024–2025 was reported as a refarming measure to increase spectrum efficiency for 4G/5G services, with nationwide shutdown described as complete by July 2025 in trade press reporting citing regulator and operator statements.[7]
Fixed broadband subscriptions were reported by NCSI at 598,907 at end of December 2025 (582,900 at end of December 2024).[2] Fibre-based access (FTTH/B) represented a substantial portion of fixed broadband subscriptions, reported at 356,897 at end of December 2025 (327,015 at end of December 2024).[2] Fixed broadband services are offered by Class I fixed licensees listed by the TRA (including Omantel and Ooredoo Oman), and by other licensed fixed providers such as Awasr.[3]
NCSI reported 5,421,911 mobile broadband subscriptions at end of December 2025, compared with 5,344,731 at end of December 2024.[2] Secondary performance indicators are also published through measurement indices such as theSpeedtest Global Index and operator-level experience reporting such asOpensignal’s country reports for Oman.[27][28]
International statistical series also track internet adoption. TheITU’s country data for “individuals using the Internet” lists Oman at 95.3% (latest value shown for 2024 on the ITU portal, as accessed in February 2026).[29]
Oman’s country-code top-level domain is.om.[12]
Mobile financial services in Oman have developed through collaborations among telecom operators, banks and licensedfintechs, reflecting a model in which telecom distribution, identity and customer channels are used to support digital payments, remittances and bill payment ecosystems.
Omantel has promoted digital payment andremittance services via branded offerings such as OMPAY (international money transfer features are described by Omantel in consumer-facing service materials).[30] Omantel has also marketed an “eFloos” digital wallet product in its media communications, describing cash-in methods and wallet usage features in public releases.[31]
Ooredoo Oman has promoted a mobile wallet product branded Pay+ in partnership with theNational Bank of Oman, describing features such as payments, deposits, transfers and withdrawals in company announcements.[32] In addition, Ooredoo Fintech has promoted a consumer digital wallet product (Walletii) describing use cases such as bill payment and domestic/international transfers in official product channels.[33]
A separate track of fintech development has involved non-bank payment service providers. Thawani Pay has been described by payments industry partners as aCentral Bank of Oman-licensed non-bank payment service provider and as holding payment network licensing milestones in Oman’s fintech sector.[34]
Under infrastructure supporting advanced connectivity for academia and research, Oman operates the Oman Research and Education Network (OMREN), anational research and education network (NREN) intended to provide connectivity and collaboration services for universities and research institutions.[35]
OMREN describes its mission as providing the research and education community in Oman with a common network and collaboration infrastructure and notes international connectivity links to global research and education communities includingGÉANT,Internet2 andAPAN (Asia-Pacific Advanced Network).[36] GÉANT has also reported OMREN-related deployments such as the launch ofeduroam access at educational institutions and atMuscat International Airport, describing this as a first-of-its-kind deployment at an airport in the Middle East at the time of the announcement.[37]
Oman’ssmart city and IoT initiatives sit at the intersection of telecommunications, digital government, and urban infrastructure. The TRA has explicitly referenced work on a smart cities regulatory framework via public consultation materials, describing aims to cover modern and emerging technologies and to enable integration and efficient operation of city services.[38]
Policy and programme documents have also described national smart city platform work. A government-published report titledOman’s First National Smart Cities Stack (produced through a project involving Omani authorities and UK partners) discussed the role of a national smart city platform and national spatial strategy as foundational components for smart city development.[39]
Operators and utilities-related partners have also promoted IoT deployments as part of smart infrastructure. For example, Ooredoo Oman announced an IoT deployment supporting smart water metering (automated meter reading) inMusandam in collaboration with public-sector entities.[40]
International organisations have referenced Oman’s smart city and digital regulation efforts in broader regulatory reviews (including references to smart, sustainable cities in national strategies and the development of smart city frameworks).[41]
Oman’sdata protection framework includes the Personal Data Protection Law issued by Royal Decree No. 6/2022, under the authority of theMinistry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT). Official MTCIT forms and guidance reference the law and its implementing requirements, including breach reporting within defined timeframes under the implementing framework.[42] Professional commentary has reported transitional compliance periods extending into 2026 as implementation progressed.[43]
Oman’s statetelevision services are operated under the Public Authority for Radio and Television (PART), established by Royal Decree No. 108/2010 (as described in UNESCWA’s national profile).[44] Public information pages about the authority describe a multi-channel television portfolio including Oman TV and additional thematic channels (including Oman Cultural and other channels).[45]
Oman implemented adigital terrestrial television rollout usingDVB-T2 beginning in 2017, as reported by DVB industry communications.[46]
Radio broadcasting in Oman comprises state-operated and privately owned services delivered primarily over terrestrialFM, supported by online streaming and mobile applications. Radio has historically played a central role in national communications: in the early 1970s, Oman’s first national broadcasting facilities began operation inMuscat andSalalah, initially usingmedium wave (AM) transmitters and later expanding FM coverage through additional relay sites.[47]
According to anOman Observer account (citing a Ministry of Information publication), at the time ofSultan Qaboos’s accession in 1970 there was no domestic news media and the few available transistor radios were tuned to international AM stations; within a week, a small national broadcasting station was established in Muscat (Bait Al Falaj,Ruwi), enabling local reception in Muscat and surrounding areas.[47] The same account describes subsequent development of radio transmission infrastructure: the start of transmission in Salalah; inauguration of a new medium-wave station in Muscat in 1972; a new station in Salalah in 1975; satellite connectivity between Muscat and Salalah studios by 1979; a power increase for Muscat’s medium-wave transmitter by the mid-1980s; and the establishment of additional VHF FM stations in multiple locations to strengthen national broadcast relay.[47]
The national English-language radio service began in 1975 and by 2015 was providing a 24-hour service, reflecting a wider expansion of radio output and distribution over time.[47]
Radio spectrum management and the licensing of radio stations and radio equipment are overseen by theTelecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) as part of its spectrum-sector mandate.[48]
TRA’s radio-licensing materials list broadcasting services that require a radio licence, including Broadcasting AM, Broadcasting FM, Broadcasting T-DAB (terrestrialDigital Audio Broadcasting), Short Wave, and Broadcasting DRM (seeDigital Radio Mondiale).[48] In addition to broadcasting, TRA lists a wide range of other radio services requiring licensing (including aeronautical, maritime, satellite, and professional wireless systems), reflecting the broader spectrum-management scope within which broadcast radio operates.[48]
TRA’s published licensing conditions (Decision No. 116/2019 regulating the licensing of stations and radio equipment operation) set out requirements such as: frequency assignment and technical restrictions; the licensee’s responsibility for transmitted content; compliance with TRA-approved technical specifications; restrictions on changes to station location/coverage and equipment parameters without written approval; and requirements related to interference mitigation and station records.[49]
Oman’s public radio output includes Arabic- and English-language services and other specialist programming. The English Service of Radio Oman commenced on 15 December 1975 and, by 2015, was operating as a 24-hour service.[47] Contemporary station brands and distribution commonly combine broadcast transmission with IP-based streaming and on-demand audio, including the publication of programme clips and segments online.[50]
Large radio directories list the national English-language FM service under branding such as “Radio Sultanate of Oman – English / Oman FM,” and identify English as a broadcast language.[51]
A Private Radio and Television Establishments law enacted in 2004 enabled private-sector ownership and management of radio and television channels, and the number of private radio stations has increased over time.[47] By the 2010s and 2020s, Oman’s private FM sector included music-led and talk-led stations in Arabic and English, often with integrated digital distribution (live streaming, station apps, podcasts, and social-media publishing).[47]
Oman Observer has summarised ownership across several major private radio brands: Hala FM and Hi FM (Media Entertainment Network); Muscat FM (Muttrah Media Services Company); Al Shabiba FM and T FM (affiliated with Muscat Space Media Company / Muscat Media Group); and Al Wisal and Virgin Radio Oman (SABCO Media).[47]
The following table lists notable FM brands with available public descriptions. (This list is not exhaustive.)
| Station / brand | Operator / owner (as publicly described) | Programming / format (as described by sources) | Primary language(s) | Distribution notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radio Sultanate of Oman – English / Oman FM[51] | Public service / national broadcaster (English-language service)[47] | English-language national service; on-demand clips published online[47][50] | English[51] | Audio segments and shows are published via platforms such as SoundCloud.[50] |
| Hi FM[52][53] | Media Entertainment Network SAOC (OHI Group) (ownership summarised byOman Observer)[47] | Hit-music station (self-description)[52] | English (directory listing)[53] | Provides online streaming and station information via its official site.[52] |
| Hala FM[54][55] | Entertainment Network SAOC (OHI Group) (ownership summarised byOman Observer)[47] | Arabic hit-music station; described by OHI Group as launched in 2007 as the first private radio in Oman[54] | Arabic[54][55] | Online presence and streaming are provided via station and group platforms.[54] |
| So! Radio[54][56] | Entertainment Network SAOC (OHI Group)[54] | Classic rock; described by OHI Group as launched in 2023 and positioned as a classic rock station[54] | English (station positioning)[56] | Station website promotes listening on 91.4 FM and via a dedicated mobile app.[56] |
| Merge 104.8[57] | Private operator (brand self-description)[57] | English-language station based in Oman (self-description)[57] | English (self-description)[57] | Provides station information and “About” details via its website.[57] |
| Al Wisal (Wisal FM)[58] | SABCO Media (ownership summarised byOman Observer)[47] | Mix of programme categories including cultural, social, sports, technology, and entertainment (station description of its programming mix)[58] | Arabic (station branding and output)[58] | Programme information published on the station website.[58] |
| Virgin Radio Oman[59] | SABCO Media (ownership summarised byOman Observer)[47] | Licensed Virgin Radio brand launched in Oman; Dentons described the launch and frequency (100.9 FM).[59] | English (brand positioning)[59] | Branded radio service launched in 2021 on 100.9 FM (as reported).[59] |
| T FM (Times FM)[60][61] | Muscat Media Group / Muscat Space Media Company (as described by Times of Oman and summarised byOman Observer)[60][47] | Music-led service “alongside breaking news,” described as featuring popular music and national updates; positioned toward youth programming in launch coverage[60][61] | Primarily English-language music with news (as described)[60] | Reported FM frequencies include 95.4 MHz (Muscat/North Al Batinah) and 91 MHz (Dhofar).[61][62] |
| Shabiba FM (Al Shabiba FM)[61] | Muscat Media Group / Muscat Space Media Company (as described and summarised)[61][47] | Arabic broadcaster launched alongside T FM; described as offering a “mix of news, views, music and chat”[61] | Arabic (as described)[61] | Reported FM frequencies include 97.5 MHz (Muscat/North Al Batinah) and 98.5 MHz (Dhofar), with online listening also promoted.[61][62] |
Oman’s radio distribution increasingly combines terrestrial broadcasting with IP delivery. Station operators commonly publish programme schedules, provide “listen live” streams, and promote mobile applications. For example, So! Radio promotes listening on FM (91.4) as well as via its dedicated app and station website, and publishes detailed schedules and programme branding online.[56][63] Oman’s English-language national service has also published audio content on third-party platforms, reflecting a broader pattern of radio programmes being repackaged into shareable clips and on-demand segments.[50]
In parallel with FM’s role as the main terrestrial platform, TRA’s licensing categories include provisions for terrestrial digital radio (T-DAB) and digital shortwave broadcasting standards (DRM), indicating that these broadcast formats are addressed within the licensing framework even where deployment may vary over time.[48] International industry summaries such as WorldDAB’s country listings include Oman in their country references for DAB/DAB+ awareness and comparative context.[64]
| Date | Fixed telephone subscriptions | Fixed broadband subscriptions | FTTH/B subscriptions | Mobile broadband subscriptions | Total mobile telecommunications subscriptions (incl. IoT/M2M) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2020 | 585,018[65] | 487,733[65] | N/a[65] | N/a[65] | 6,111,896[65] |
| End of Dec 2024 | 435,482[2] | 582,900[2] | 327,015[2] | 5,344,731[2] | N/a[2] |
| End of Dec 2025 | 443,320[2] | 598,907[2] | 356,897[2] | 5,421,911[2] | 8,054,413[2] |
The following table compiles operator-reported market shares and customer bases (where available) and uses NCSI totals for context. Where only market share is available, subscriber totals are shown as estimates derived from NCSI totals and the cited market share, and should be interpreted with caution due to differences between “customers”, “subscriptions”, MVNO inclusion and M2M/IoT counting methodologies.[2]
| Operator | Technology (4G/5G) | Estimated subscribers (millions) | Ownership status (summary) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omantel | 4G / 5G | 3.8 (domestic mobile base as of 30 Jun 2025, incl. resellers)[66] | Incumbent operator; publicly listed (government retains significant stake; see Omantel investor materials).[4] |
| Ooredoo Oman | 4G / 5G | 2.8 (customer base at end-2024, per Ooredoo Group reporting)[67] | Privately owned; part of Ooredoo Group.[67] |
| Vodafone Oman | 4G / 5G | ~1.1 (estimate: 14% of total 8.05m subscriptions at end-2025)[68][2] | Licensed in 2021; operated by Oman Future Telecommunications Company (Vodafone Oman brand).[5] |
OHI_Media was invoked but never defined (see thehelp page).Dentons_VirginRadio was invoked but never defined (see thehelp page).TimesOman_TFM_March2018 was invoked but never defined (see thehelp page).TimesOman_TFM_Shabiiba_Launch was invoked but never defined (see thehelp page).TimesOman_TFM_VideoTour was invoked but never defined (see thehelp page).
