Oman Telecom Revenues Surge 25% as IoT Subscriptions Soar 358%

Key Takeaways

Fifty government schools now have Starlink satellite Internet access; all schools are connected.
Telecom sector revenue rose 25% to RO961mn, with significant increases in mobile, IoT, and broadband subscriptions.
Omanisation rates reached 94% in telecommunications and 73% in postal services, with new regulations coming to protect users.

Telecom Growth and Implementation of Starlink in Oman

Fifty government schools in Oman are now connected to the Starlink satellite Internet service, marking a significant advancement in digital connectivity for education. This initiative is part of broader efforts by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), which reported a 25% increase in the telecom sector’s revenue, totaling RO961 million.

In a recent media briefing, the TRA shared comprehensive performance statistics for telecommunications and postal services spanning from 2021 to 2025. Mobile subscriptions experienced a 7% growth, reaching 6.42 million, while Internet of Things (IoT) subscriptions surged an impressive 358%, totaling 1.632 million. Additionally, fixed broadband subscriptions rose by 14%, and the number of 5G base stations grew by 189%.

The expansion of high-speed fixed broadband is notable, now covering 67% of residential units, with 97% of government schools provided with high-speed Internet access. In the postal sector, revenues from 87 licensed companies soared by 81%, amounting to RO29.5 million. Omanisation efforts have reached significant milestones, achieving 94% in the telecommunications sector and 73% in postal services.

According to the TRA, the Nafath initiative has facilitated 843 projects valued at RO29.2 million in telecom and postal services by 2025. Small and medium enterprises holding the Riyada card received RO1.8 million in purchase orders. However, the TRA also noted 183 regulatory violations by companies, resulting in fines totaling RO1.042 million.

Omar Hamdan Al Ismaili, CEO of the TRA, highlighted the school connectivity program as a key step towards enhancing digital services. He further indicated that preparations are underway to develop infrastructure for artificial intelligence applications, attract investments, and ensure the protection of user privacy and official data.

In a separate announcement, the TRA confirmed that chat features on Telegram are now fully accessible in Oman, following years of limited access that required the use of virtual private networks. This change allows the platform’s communication functions to be available without restrictions for all users in the country.

The content above is a summary. For more details, see the source article.