Page 36 - SAMENA Trends - May 2025

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Oman Telecom Sector Sees Significant Growth in 2024

Oman’s telecom sector has experienced was observed in smart device connections, global average of 15-20 percent. Efforts to
notable growth in 2024, with increased including IoT services like smart meters improve internet access continued, with 97
usage of mobile phones, internet, and and connected cars, which surged by 72 percent of public schools now connected
smart devices, according to new data percent, reaching 1.15 million in 2024 to high-speed broadband, and 90 percent
released by the Telecommunications compared to just 245,000 five years ago. of households having broadband internet,
Regulatory Authority (TRA). The number TRA officials also reported that telecom up from 85 percent in 2023. The number of
of mobile phone users rose to 7.5 million companies saw higher revenues, reaching fiber-optic internet connections increased
in 2024, reflecting a 7 percent increase RO 920 million in 2024, up 4 percent from from 5,238 in 2023 to 5,856 in 2024, while
from 6.9 million in 2023. Fixed home RO 881 million in 2023. The industry also broadband units also grew from 737,000 to
internet connections also saw a slight rise, invested more in infrastructure, with 841,000. Oman’s postal sector also showed
reaching 573,000, up from 562,000 the investments amounting to 28 percent of growth, with domestic deliveries reaching
previous year. The most significant growth total revenue, significantly surpassing the 3.2 million, outbound international items
totaling 437,000, and inbound international
shipments at 3.4 million. Postal companies
generated 27.2 million rials in 2024,
marking a 2 percent increase from the
previous year. The Omanisation rate in
the telecom and postal sectors stood
at 93 percent in telecom companies, 71
percent in postal firms, and 40 percent in
service contractors. Additionally, the TRA
confirmed the phased shutdown of the
3G mobile network, with 5,600 stations
already upgraded to newer technologies.
To accommodate growing data demands,
new frequency bands at 2300 MHz and
2600 MHz have been allocated.

UAE Sets Global Record in FTTH Coverage with 99.5% Nationwide Reach

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has ments in advanced digital infrastructure, innovative services like Fibre-to-the-Yacht
achieved a new global record in fibre-to- further enhancing the country’s capacity (FTTY), which brings high-speed connectiv-
the-home (FTTH) network coverage, reach- to keep pace with technological advance- ity to yachts, and Fibre-to-the-Room (FTTR),
ing 99.5%, maintaining its position as the ments. The UAE’s role as a digital trans- a smart home solution offering superior
world leader since 2016. The achievement, formation leader is further supported by wireless network coverage.
reported by the FTTH Council Europe, high-
lights the UAE’s extensive fibre-optic infra-
structure, which spans over 14.5 million ki-
lometers and connects 2.88 million homes
nationwide. In the latest report, the UAE
outperformed countries like South Korea
(96.6%) and China (93.6%) in FTTH cover-
age, underscoring its leadership in global
telecommunications. e& UAE, the country’s
primary internet service provider, continues
to drive digital transformation through its
“Fiber-First” strategy, ensuring high-speed,
reliable connectivity across the nation. The
UAE’s commitment to fibre-optic technol-
ogy began in 1986, and in 2011, Abu Dha-
bi became the first capital in the world to
achieve full fibre-optic coverage. The record
is a testament to e& UAE’s ongoing invest-

36 MAY 2025