Omani telecom operator Omantel has signed an agreement with UK-based optical and laser communications specialist Archangel Lightworks to accelerate the development of advanced satellite and optical communication services in the Sultanate. The partnership establishes a collaborative framework to integrate Archangel Lightworks’ laser-optic satellite ground station technologies into Omantel’s network, positioning Oman as a regional hub for next-generation satellite connectivity and high-capacity digital infrastructure.
The collaboration emerged through the Smart Industry Initiative, a UK–Oman platform supported by the British Omani Society, BSG International, and Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE), an investor in Archangel Lightworks. Under the agreement, the two companies plan a phased programme of proof-of-concept trials starting in 2026, including validation of Archangel Lightworks’ TERRA-M optical ground station using data received from test satellites.
The programme will explore ground station as a service (GSaaS) opportunities for emerging satellite constellations and trial hybrid RF-optical satellite data downlinks. These efforts are intended to pave the way for joint service models that combine optical ground station capabilities with Omantel’s terrestrial infrastructure. The partnership also includes joint research and development initiatives focused on high-throughput optical systems and terrestrial point-to-point optical links.
Omantel said the collaboration will help bridge space-based and terrestrial networks, enhancing network resilience, capacity, and innovation, while supporting Oman’s ambitions in advanced digital infrastructure and satellite communications.
