MUSCAT: Omantel, Oman’s majority state-owned integrated telecommunications provider, has announced a bold rebranding initiative to reposition itself as the nation’s flagship technology powerhouse. With a market capitalization of nearly $2 billion, Omantel already delivers fixed-line, mobile, internet, ICT, and data center services, alongside extensive regional reach through submarine cable investments and joint ventures.
In its H1 2025 Chairman’s Report, the company highlighted the regional telecom sector’s rapid pivot to smart solutions, AI, and cloud services, driven by rising demand for integrated digital platforms. Omantel’s rebrand will unify the nation’s ICT strengths under a refreshed identity, attract international partners, and cement Oman’s position as a regional hub for innovation.
The strategy builds on core infrastructure: a nationwide 5G rollout, near-universal fibre-to-the-home coverage, and the region’s first 50GPON trials, ensuring the capacity for AI platforms and Industry 4.0 applications. Additionally, Omantel’s 20+ subsea cable investments and landing stations in Muscat and Barka are transforming Oman into a digital crossroads between Europe, Asia, and Africa, reducing reliance on regional hubs and drawing hyperscalers like Google and Meta.
Beyond connectivity, Omantel is investing in IoT, AI analytics, managed services, and cybersecurity, including an enterprise SOC. Pilot projects in smart lighting, transport, and utilities, conducted with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, highlight the company’s role in Oman’s urban transformation under Vision 2040.
Special Analysis | Impact on Investors and Businesses
Omantel’s transformation signals new opportunities for investors looking to enter Oman’s expanding digital ecosystem. The push into AI, cloud, and smart city technologies offers fertile ground for partnerships, while the company’s subsea infrastructure positions Oman as a regional digital hub. However, the move also raises competition risks as both local players and foreign entrants aim to capture value in the evolving market. Entrepreneurs and businesses aligned with cloud services, AI applications, and digitally enabled public initiatives will be best placed to benefit.
