Oman is poised to become a regional telecommunications center due to its advanced internal network and initiatives to enhance rural connectivity, according to Oxford Business Group’s (OBG) new guide on Oman’s digital future. The space industry is also advancing, driven by global trends and national policies, with significant improvements expected in satellite deployment and exploitation.
Oman’s digital infrastructure is maturing, as evidenced by the following indicators in the first quarter of 2024:
- Fixed Telephone Service Subscriptions: 596,809 (85% penetration)
- Fixed Broadband Service Subscriptions: 572,450 (82% penetration)
- Mobile Service Subscriptions: 7,201,537 (139% penetration)
- Mobile Broadband Service Subscriptions: 5,945,852 (115% penetration)
The Government Integration Platform (GIP) is a key development, serving as a centralized API gateway and data center that facilitates real-time data exchange among government entities. As of April 2024, the GIP had processed 1 billion data transactions, integrated with 16 million GCC transactions, and engaged 163,000 private sector transactions.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has monitored significant progress in telecommunications infrastructure. Key developments include:
- Fibreoptic Network Deployment: 51% of buildings connected by 2022, with over 101,257 housing units equipped in 2023.
- New Telecommunications Towers: Over 800 towers installed in 2022, improving services in underserved areas.
- 5G Network Deployment: Over 2,600 stations activated in 2022, with 4G and 5G coverage levels reaching 97.8% and 44.9%, respectively.
- Broadband in Public Schools: 1,221 schools with broadband, 1,146 connected to fibreoptic network, covering over 94% of schools.
By the end of 2024, all 3G stations will be upgraded to 4G and 5G, further extending advanced telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
