Muscat: Oman’s telecommunications sector experienced notable shifts in mobile subscription trends in 2024, with a sharp rise in postpaid users and a slight decline in prepaid subscriptions. According to the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSA), postpaid mobile connections surged 33.9%, reaching 2,391,951 by December 2024, while prepaid subscriptions declined 1.6% to 5,114,919.
First-class licensed operators accounted for 3,889,244 connections, while resellers managed 1,225,675. Despite the dip in prepaid users, the total number of mobile subscriptions rose 7.5% year-on-year, reaching 7,506,870, reflecting growing consumer preference for postpaid plans. Additionally, active mobile broadband subscriptions increased to 6,455,261.
Meanwhile, fixed internet subscriptions grew 2% to 574,730, with broadband connections (above 256 kbps) reaching 573,028. However, the fixed-line sector suffered a 24.8% decline, with subscriptions falling to 435,596.
Key Highlights:
- Traditional analog fixed-line subscriptions dropped 20.9% to 66,834.
- Fixed-line IP technology subscriptions increased 7.4% to 318,478.
- Digital network channel subscriptions dipped 0.2% to 49,634.
- Public telephone subscriptions plummeted 98.1%, leaving only 127 users.
- Fixed wireless subscriptions fell 25.6% to 523.
- Muscat Governorate led in fixed analog telephone lines, holding 49.63% of the total.
The data highlights Oman’s growing shift toward postpaid mobile services and broadband, while traditional fixed-line services continue to decline.