In recent years, Oman’s telecommunication sector has seen significant expansion, positioning the Sultanate as a regional hub for digital connectivity. The substantial influx of investments has laid the groundwork for Oman’s robust digital ecosystem, propelling its digital and hyper-connected future.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Oman has achieved 100% 4G coverage and has surpassed the average Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country in terms of 5G coverage, reaching 88% of the population.
As Oman becomes a digital powerhouse, the government has launched initiatives to increase the digital economy’s contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) from 2% to 10% by 2040. These initiatives include 5G network expansion, the development of satellite communications, and the establishment of innovative cloud systems.
While urban areas have seen rapid transformations, bridging the connectivity gap in rural regions remains a critical challenge.
Read: Omantel Accelerates 5G Deployment in MENA with Smart Network Solutions
Connecting Oman
According to Opensignal’s Mobile Network Experience Report for Oman in 2025, Oman’s major telecom operators—Omantel, Ooredoo, and Vodafone—deliver reliable connectivity and continue to drive advancements in network performance.
Vodafone Oman has emerged as a leader in mobile experience consistency, scoring 74.4%, and offers the best multiplayer gaming experience over cellular connections with a score of 74.5 out of 100. It also leads in overall experience, particularly in download and upload speeds for mobile networks.
Vodafone and Ooredoo lead in network availability, reflecting their extensive coverage across Oman.
Meanwhile, Omantel stood out, achieving the best overall coverage and 5G coverage in the country with a score of 8.3 out of 10. It also delivered the fastest average 5G download speeds, recording an impressive 252.3 Mbps. For 5G video experience and availability, Omantel and Vodafone are joint leaders, showcasing their commitment to enhancing user experiences (UX) with the latest technologies.
These remarkable achievements in Oman’s digital landscape prompted the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) to begin phasing out outdated 3G networks in July 2024 to facilitate the expansion of state-of-the-art technologies like 5G.
However, the IMF suggested that further investments and regulatory upgrades are necessary for Oman to enhance its digital infrastructure to match its neighboring countries.
Also Read: Vodafone Oman: Three Years of Innovation, Market Growth, and a Digital-First Future
The Latest in Oman’s 5G Expansion
Throughout 2024 and early 2025, Oman’s telecommunications landscape has seen substantial developments in 5G network technology.
In 2024, Vodafone Oman expanded its 5G network coverage across the Dhofar Governorate, with new sites installed at Dhareez Beach, Wadi Darbat, and Ittin Square. Its core network applications and cloud infrastructure were upgraded by Ericsson, enabling telcos to seamlessly deploy 5G standalone (5G SA) services. In addition, Ericsson elevated virtual and containerized core network functions including evolved packet core (EPC), home subscriber server (HSS), unified data management (UDM), IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), policy and charging rules functions (PCRF), and management and orchestration (MANO) applications.
Omantel has successfully completed the 5G RedCap lab trial in collaboration with Huawei, aiming to meet the growing demands of Internet of Things (IoT) applications with faster speeds and enhanced network efficiency at reduced costs. The company optimized its 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) offering by leveraging advanced technologies such as millimeter wave (mmWave) and carrier aggregation (CA).
Ooredoo also expanded its 5G FWA coverage to 87.6% of the population in June 2024, contributing to a substantial increase in 5G broadband subscriptions. As the first telecom operator in Oman to offer 5G coverage, Ooredoo continues to innovate by successfully testing 5.5G technology, laying the foundation for future 6G developments. Recently, the company collaborated with Sohar International to deliver integrated mobile, fixed, and ICT solutions.
Oman’s largest mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), FRiENDi Mobile, has partnered with Vodafone Oman to utilize its advanced 5G network, enhancing connectivity, speed, and reliability for its customers.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) allocated 100 MHz of 5G spectrum to Omantel and Ooredoo, further enhancing mobile services across the Sultanate. Oman launched its 5G innovation lab at Dhofar University’s College of Engineering, driving innovation and research. Established in collaboration with Ooredoo and ZTE Corporation, the initiative aims to develop innovative methods for education, knowledge transfer, and technical research.
Also Read: A GCC-First Upgrade: Vodafone Oman Automates Core Network with Ericsson
Enhancing Oman’s Connectivity and Digital Infrastructure
Oman has made significant strides in enhancing its digital infrastructure and connectivity, with major telecommunication operators and global technology companies investing heavily to boost the digital landscape.
Achieving the fastest nationwide 5G rollout in Oman’s history, Vodafone Oman expanded its 5G NEXT LEVEL network, covering over 98% of the population. The telecom operator also expanded its enterprise offerings, enhancing the Sultanate’s business connectivity.
In late 2024, Nokia and Ooredoo Oman announced a strategic partnership to deploy a state-of-the-art dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) wholesale network. The initiative aims to meet the escalating needs of data centers, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven applications, and cloud-based platforms.
Ooredoo has strengthened its presence in Duqm, one of Oman’s key economic zones, aiming to advance telecom infrastructure, form strategic collaborations, and support the country’s economic growth.
Equinix, a global digital infrastructure company, launched its SN1 data center in Salalah, Oman, in partnership with Omantel in November 2024. Set to be implemented in phases, the initiative will optimize connection routes and offer more direct and cost-effective accessibility for enterprises and service providers.
The Oman Broadband Company is also expanding its fiber optic network. The company signed a cooperation agreement with Dawiyat Integrated Telecommunications and Information Technology, establishing fiber optic networks to enhance Oman-Saudi Arabia connectivity. For the next three years, the company also aims to cover 97% of the Muscat Governorate and approximately 50% of the other regions. This initiative is part of its broader goal to connect one million housing units with fiber optic infrastructure.
In early 2025, the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) and Qatar Fund for Development (QFD) partnered to establish overhead transmission lines connecting Oman with the GCC’s network. This USD 100 million project involves the construction of two 400 kV overhead transmission lines to connect the GCCIA’s Al Sila station in the United Arab Emirates to the Ibri station, which the GCCIA will construct in the Sultanate of Oman. The transmission line will be equipped to withstand a total capacity of 1,700 MW and a net transfer capacity of 1,200 MW.
Recently, Ooredoo Oman and stc Group collaborated to establish the SONIC project—an international terrestrial fiber optic network corridor between Saudi Arabia and Oman. The initiative aims to support existing subsea projects and improve international subsea routes between Asia and Europe.
The Iraqi Telecommunications and Post Company (ITPC) and Ooredoo also partnered to land the Fiber in Gulf (FIG) subsea cable in Iraq, which connects six countries including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE with 720 Tbps of capacity across 24 fiber pairs. This announcement follows Ooredoo’s collaboration with Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) in January 2025 to build the FIG cable, which is set to be completed by 2027.
Final Thoughts
Oman’s recent connectivity advancements underscore its commitment to driving a technologically advanced and hyper-connected future, aligning with its Vision 2040.
These developments are not only enhancing connectivity but also establishing a robust digital ecosystem built on the relentless pursuit for innovation and excellence. Nurturing ICT talents will further accelerate innovation and secure Oman’s digital future.
As Oman continues to invest in its telecommunications and digital infrastructure, it is poised to accelerate digital transformation, boost economic growth, and emerge as a key player in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
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