Oman has formally launched its first national communications satellite program, “OmanSat-1,” in partnership with Airbus, marking a major milestone in the country’s long-term strategy to build sovereign, secure, and future-ready space communications infrastructure.
As the national operator, Space Communications Technologies (SCT) — a subsidiary of the Oman Investment Authority — will oversee the entire lifecycle of the project. This includes satellite design with Airbus Defence and Space, development of local ground stations, and training Omani talent to ensure the system is ultimately operated by a fully national workforce.
SCT CEO Eng. Salim Al Alawi said the program aims to deliver an Omani-managed satellite system capable of providing advanced, secure, and flexible communication services. The satellite will be based on Airbus’s next-generation OneSat platform, offering high-throughput capacity using Ka-band technology with speeds exceeding 120–130 Gbps. Coverage will span the Sultanate, economic waters, and regions across MENA, East Africa, and parts of Central Asia, allowing Omani telecom operators to serve customers without geographic constraints and reducing dependence on foreign satellite operators.
The project timeline begins with a kick-off meeting in January following final design approval. Production and payload integration will run through 2028, with ground delivery of the satellite expected in September 2028 and full operational service in May 2029.
SCT’s experience providing satellite services alongside Omantel, and its investment in national ground infrastructure, has positioned it to lead Oman’s transition to sovereign space capabilities. Additional agreements to build local ground stations are expected soon, supporting Oman Vision 2040 and the nation’s digital transformation agenda.
