Oman ICT

Four telecoms operators currently have bids under consideration to become the third mobile network on the Omani market, following the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority’s (TRA) launch of the bidding process in November last year.

A range of government initiatives are driving ICT adoption in Oman, as the sultanate works to connect all homes and businesses to the national broadband network by 2040. 

A measured approach to rolling out the infrastructure for Oman’s advanced broadband network is part of a wider policy of managed development towards becoming a knowledge-based economy.

The announcement that the state will sell more than a quarter of its holdings in Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) could bring changes to a market facing challenging conditions and increased competition.

The IT sector in Oman looks set to continue expanding on the back of a sharp rise in broadband and mobile phone take-up, together with falling costs across several services. However, while competition in the industry remains fierce, Oman is still struggling to close the gap on a number of its regional neighbours that are edging the Sultanate when it comes to innovation.

With mobile penetration already well above 100%, the increasing popularity of high-speed mobile and fixed broadband is proving to be the key to growth in the Omani telecoms sector. Increasing operating costs and declining text usage are cutting into profits, however.