Oman’s mobile subscriptions climb to 8.29 million as IoT and fibre drive growth

Muscat: Oman’s telecommunications sector continues to expand steadily, with the total number of mobile service subscriptions in the Sultanate of Oman reaching 8.29 million by the end of February 2026, reflecting a 4 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Data released by the National Center for Statistics and Information highlights sustained growth across key segments, particularly in postpaid mobile services, which rose by 4 percent to 1.28 million subscriptions. Prepaid services, which make up the bulk of users, recorded a more modest 1 percent increase, reaching 5.34 million.

A standout trend in the report is the rapid expansion of Internet of Things (IoT) connections, which surged by 14 percent to 1.65 million subscriptions. The growth reflects increasing adoption of smart and connected technologies across sectors ranging from industry to households.

Internet services also posted solid gains. Active mobile broadband subscriptions climbed to 5.48 million, while fixed broadband connections edged up by 2 percent to nearly 599,000, underscoring the country’s ongoing digital transformation.

Within the fixed broadband segment, fiber optic services continued to gain momentum, rising by 8 percent to 360,164 subscriptions, driven by demand for faster and more reliable connectivity. Fixed 5G services also saw a slight increase of 1 percent, reaching 218,909 subscriptions.

In contrast, legacy technologies continued their downward trajectory. Fixed 4G subscriptions dropped sharply by 63 percent to just over 8,000, while DSL connections declined by 28 percent to fewer than 10,000, reflecting a clear shift toward more advanced infrastructure.

Meanwhile, satellite internet services recorded the fastest growth rate, soaring by 195 percent to 1,125 subscriptions, albeit from a relatively small base. Other internet services, including power line and leased connections, saw an 8 percent decline.

The latest figures point to a broader transition within Oman’s telecom landscape, as consumers and businesses increasingly migrate toward high-speed, next-generation connectivity solutions such as fiber and IoT-enabled services.