Oman’s telecommunications sector is experiencing rapid growth, fueled by national efforts to modernize digital infrastructure and services. As of May, mobile subscriptions had reached 8.13 million, while IoT connections surged to 1.55 million, marking a 118.7% year-on-year increase, according to data from Oman’s National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). This growth reflects the expanding role of digital technologies in sectors such as logistics, utilities, and manufacturing.
This momentum aligns with Oman Vision 2040, the country’s long-term development strategy focused on economic diversification and improved public services. Investments in fibre-optic expansion and fixed 5G deployment are laying the groundwork for faster and more reliable connectivity.
Research firm Mordor Intelligence attributes much of the progress to sustained public investment, including a $441.5 million digital transformation programme launched in 2022 to enhance government services and drive accessibility. This initiative is part of the broader Digital Economy Program, which aims to increase the digital economy’s contribution to GDP from 3% in 2025 to 10% by 2040, with 80% of government services digitised by 2025.
Recent NCSI figures show continued growth in mobile and broadband usage:
Postpaid mobile subscriptions rose 5.6% year-on-year to 1.23 million
Prepaid plans grew by 3.1%, reaching over 5.33 million
Mobile broadband subscriptions reached 5.41 million
Fixed broadband increased 2.6% to approximately 588,000 connections, with fibre-optic services growing over 11% to 339,000
Meanwhile, legacy services are declining:
Fixed 4G subscriptions dropped over 38% to around 19,600
Digital user lines halved
Satellite and powerline internet usage continued to fall, with leased lines now used by fewer than 800 subscribers
These shifts are part of the government-led Tahawul program, which aims to digitize public services and streamline citizen interactions. By November, the program had achieved 73% of its performance goals, up from 53% the previous year.
Key achievements include:
Four government bodies, including the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, reaching “digital excellence” status
Launch of large-scale platforms such as the National Digital Integration Platform, which has handled 1.4 billion data transactions
Nearly 27 million digital government transactions recorded in 2024
Oman’s progress positions it as a leader in digital transformation within the region. With robust infrastructure development, policy commitment, and private sector alignment, the country is building a tech-enabled future where high-speed internet, smart services, and digital tools are becoming a daily norm.
Source: iottechnews.com
