Overview
Omantel (Oman Telecommunications Company) is Oman’s national telecommunications company — the dominant fixed-line broadband provider and a major mobile operator. Established in 1995 as the successor to the General Telecommunications Organisation, Omantel was partially privatised through listing on the Muscat Stock Exchange, with the government retaining approximately 51% via OIA.
Omantel operates in a duopoly mobile market (with Ooredoo Oman) and holds a strong position in fixed broadband — the latter being particularly important for Vision 2040’s digital economy objectives.
FLAG Submarine Cable System
Omantel’s most strategically significant asset beyond its domestic network is its ownership stake in the FLAG (Fiber-optic Link Around the Globe) submarine cable system — a global submarine cable network connecting Europe, the Middle East, India, and East Asia. FLAG cable landing stations in Oman give Omantel (and by extension, Oman) significant international bandwidth capacity and wholesale connectivity revenue.
This international connectivity infrastructure is relevant to Vision 2040’s digital economy ambitions — it provides the physical backbone for cloud computing, data centre services, and internet connectivity that digital economy development requires.
Domestic Network
Fixed broadband: Omantel’s fibre network is expanding progressively across Oman — a critical enabler for Vision 2040’s e-government and digital economy targets. Broadband penetration and speed are key indicators in the Networked Readiness Index.
Mobile: Omantel and Ooredoo compete in 4G/5G mobile services. 5G deployment is progressing, with coverage initially concentrated in Muscat and major cities.
Enterprise services: Managed IT services, cloud connectivity, and enterprise networking for government and corporate customers — a growing revenue stream as digital transformation increases demand for professional IT services.
Vision 2040 Role
As the dominant digital infrastructure provider, Omantel is central to several Vision 2040 goals:
- Universal broadband connectivity enabling e-government service delivery
- Data centre and cloud infrastructure for digital economy development
- 5G deployment enabling IoT and advanced digital services
- International connectivity for Oman’s data hub ambitions