Oman’s telecommunications sector has undergone notable changes over the past year, with significant growth in postpaid mobile phone subscriptions and a steady rise in internet usage, according to the latest data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information.
By the end of September 2024, postpaid mobile subscriptions in Oman had increased by 23% compared to the same period last year, reaching a total of 2,163,883 subscriptions. In contrast, prepaid mobile subscriptions saw a 6% decline, dropping to 5,077,026. Despite this decrease, the overall number of mobile phone subscriptions, including both prepaid and postpaid, grew by 1.2%, amounting to 7,240,909.
Of these mobile subscriptions, 3,837,108 were issued by mobile operators, while 1,239,918 came from resale channels. Broadband internet usage also showed growth, with active mobile broadband subscriptions reaching 5,821,865 by the end of September. Fixed internet subscriptions rose by 3.5% compared to September 2023, totaling 577,713.
Fixed broadband subscriptions, those with speeds exceeding 256 kilobytes per second, increased by 3.5% to 576,011. However, low-speed internet subscriptions, including telephone-based and some leased lines, remained minimal, with only 1,702 subscriptions.
The data also revealed a decline in traditional fixed-line services. Fixed-line subscriptions fell by 25.1%, bringing the total down to 430,585 by the end of September. Subscriptions to analogue fixed-line services, including prepaid and postpaid lines, saw an even sharper decline of 72.6%, dropping to just 62,749. Conversely, the number of fixed lines connected to Internet Protocol (IP) technology increased by 10.5%, reaching 318,149.
The number of subscriptions to Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) channels decreased by 2.8%, totaling 48,979, while public telephone numbers remained unchanged at 6,801. Fixed wireless subscriptions also saw a decline of 25.6%, amounting to 553.
In terms of regional distribution, Muscat accounted for the largest share of fixed analogue telephone lines, holding 48.45%, followed by Dhofar at 10.55%, and North Batinah at 10.85%. The remaining governorates made up the final 30.15%.
This data highlights the shifting landscape of telecommunications in Oman, with a marked preference for postpaid and high-speed broadband services, while traditional fixed-line connections continue to decline.