Page 101 - SAMENA Trends - August-September 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Oman

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) hosted a regulatory sandboxes, pilot schemes and compliance frameworks
forum on September 9, 2025, highlighting the need for dynamic are being launched to facilitate start-ups and Omani developers to
regulations to protect users, drive innovation and support Oman develop in a responsible manner. (September 10, 2025) www.zawya.com
Vision 2040. Titled, ‘Electronic Applications and Legal Challenges
in Muscat’, various speakers underlined opportunities and legal Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has
issues in the digital ecosystem despite the achievement of 95 per confirmed that its decision to unify the royalty rate across
cent internet penetration, mobile subscriptions outnumbering the mobile and fixed telecom services will be a game-changer for
national population and 61 per cent of Omanis on social media. the sector—boosting competitiveness, attracting investment,
In opening remarks, Dr. Ali bin Amer al Shaithani, Under-Secretary and creating a level playing field for all licensed operators. “This
of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information decision will increase the competitiveness of the telecom sector
Technology for Communications and Information Technology, and enhance Oman’s investment appeal,” the TRA said in an
emphasized the country's drive to keep pace with the digital exclusive interview with the Observer. “It creates a level playing
revolution. He noted that electronic applications have become field for all telecom licensees, ensuring fair and equal treatment
"an inseparable part of everyday life", providing convenience and across the board.” The move, which applies the revised royalty rate
speed but also threatening imminent legal challenges. Taher uniformly to all operator classes and license types, removes long-
bin Awadh al Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Legal Affairs standing disparities between mobile and fixed service providers.
Unit, stated: "With the fast pace of change in the modern world, By eliminating regulatory bias, it opens the door to balanced
electronic applications are now an integral part of life, creating infrastructure investment, greater innovation, and higher service
more efficient services and propelling efficiency. These chances quality. The TRA said the unified rate will simplify regulatory
are prospective, but they represent legal challenges and require procedures, reduce administrative complexity, and improve
the establishment of a balanced and open regulatory system transparency—making Oman’s telecom market more efficient and
safeguarding people, developers and institutions while boosting attractive to local and foreign investors. Lower financial burdens on
innovation and investment”. Latest national statistics underscore companies are expected to free up capital for network expansion,
the significant levels of digitalization across Oman. There are well advanced digital services, and customer-focused innovations.
over 6.7 million active mobile subscriptions corresponding to While the regulator noted that the reduction in royalty fees should,
124 per cent of the total population (early 2025 figures). Internet over time, enable providers to offer more competitive tariffs, it
penetration is almost 95 per cent with 5.14 million users. More than stressed that the actual impact on end-user prices will depend
3.29 million Omanis, representing 61 per cent of the population, on market competition, pricing strategies, and operational costs.
are active on social media. Connectivity has also increased The reform is also closely tied to Oman’s national ambitions. “This
significantly. Mobile broadband speeds averaged 92 Mbps and aligns directly with Oman Vision 2040 and our digital economy
fixed broadband speeds averaged 78 Mbps, enabling the use of goals,” the TRA said. “It strengthens the foundations for economic
complex applications. As of May 2025, Oman had more than 5.4 diversification, technological advancement, and positions Oman
million mobile broadband subscriptions and nearly 588,000 fixed as a regional hub for digital transformation.” Industry analysts
internet subscriptions. Among the emerging trends is the growth say the move signals a pro-investment regulatory environment at
of the Internet of Things (IoT) with subscriptions growing by more a time when the telecommunications sector is pivotal to Oman’s
than 1.3 million since 2020 to 1.55 million. Officials say this is an economic future. By levelling the playing field and boosting investor
indication of the transformation of the country towards smart confidence, the change is expected to accelerate the rollout of
cities, digital logistics and new electronic applications supporting next-generation networks, expand digital access, and reinforce
Oman's digital economy. The TRA re-affirmed that, aside from Oman’s standing in the Gulf’s competitive telecom landscape.
regulation, it also aims to facilitate innovation while safeguarding (August 12, 2025) www.omanobserver.om
user security and market integrity. Adaptable instruments such as

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