06 May 2025
Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has announced that Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has approved the issuance of a Category 1 telecoms license to Omani Space Communications Technologies (OmanSat) for the provision of fixed communications services.
This license allows OmanSat to offer broadband internet services and satellite connectivity for communication stations, with a focus on enhancing connectivity options for rural areas.
Mahmood Omar al Zadjali, the acting executive manager for TRA’s strategic planning unit, explained to the Oman Observer that the Category 1 license enables OmanSat to provide fixed broadband services using its own infrastructure, similar to existing licenses held by major telecom operators in Oman such as Omantel, Ooredoo, Vodafone, and Awasr. In contrast, Category 2 licenses are designated for operators that lease infrastructure from others to provide services.
Although OmanSat was established by the government in 2018 to develop the Sultanate’s satellite communications infrastructure, it currently does not own its satellite but instead leases capacity from other satellite operators, which is permissible under the Category 1 license. In June 2021, OmanSat issued a tender for the construction of its first communications satellite, OmanSat-1, with plans to place it in orbit by 2024, which has not yet materialized. Oman successfully launched its first satellite, an earth observation satellite called OL-1, in November 2024.
In related developments, SpaceX’s Starlink received a Category 1 license last month to offer its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband service in Oman. Additionally, Chinese LEO satellite operator Geespace is positioning itself to provide services in the country; in July 2024, it announced that it was testing its network in collaboration with local satellite service provider Azyan Telecom, with intentions to launch services later this year.
The TRA has indicated that satellite broadband is vital for extending broadband connectivity to remote areas and providing backup connectivity during terrestrial network outages. The TRA remarked that granting the OmanSat license is part of its broader efforts to attract investment in innovative technologies and services, ensure the availability of accessible and secure infrastructure, and develop a regulatory framework that adapts to evolving technological landscapes.
