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Press Interview with Engineer Sultan bin Ahmed AlWahaibi Chief Executive Officer of Oman Broadband Company

  • 926,884 units covered by the fiber-optic network across the Sultanate’s governorates
  • 326,406 active subscribers on the fiber-optic network confirm the success of digital transformation
  • 9 million Omani Rials to support SMEs in 2025
  • ● 39% of the company’s purchases are from small and medium enterprises to promote local content of the national workforce directly
  • The Omanization rate of national workforce at the company has exceeded 99

The Oman Broadband Company continues to achieve tangible progress in supporting the digital economy and empowering national talent. Engineer Sultan bin Ahmed Al-Wahaibi, the company’s CEO, revealed that the total number of units covered by the fiber-optic network has reached 926,884 units as of the end of November 2025, with 326,406 active subscribers. The company aims, over the next three years, to expand its coverage to one million residential units, enhancing the digital infrastructure and expanding high-quality services across various sectors.

As part of its support for major national projects, the company is developing digital networks in Sultan Haitham City, Al Khuwair Downtown, and the Al Thuraya Project, ensuring alignment with smart-city standards and the readiness of infrastructure for future expansion. This includes providing high-speed services for education, residential and commercial facilities, and government services.

The Omanization rate of national workforce at the company has exceeded 99%., while 39% of the company’s contracted work has been awarded to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The company is also implementing initiatives to support and qualify these enterprises for larger projects and to help them obtain international certifications.

In addition, the company continues to support community and social investment initiatives, including those related to education, health, sports, and youth empowerment. in order to promote sustainable development and enhance quality of life in the Sultanate.

To the interview text…

How does Oman Broadband contribute to developing the digital infrastructure and supporting digital transformation in the Sultanate?

Oman Broadband is one of the key enablers of digital transformation in the Sultanate of Oman through its ambitious projects to expand the digital infrastructure and extend the fiber-optic network across various governorates and wilayat’s, including rural areas. The company strives to connect more homes and institutions to high-speed internet in accordance with international standards, contributing to the empowerment of the digital economy and the enhancement of quality of life and public services in education, health, business, and government sectors.

Expansion of the Fiber-Optic Network

With the continued successes achieved by Oman Broadband, what is the total number of units covered by the fiber-optic network? And what is your expansion plan for the coming period?

Thanks to Allah, the company has achieved positive indicators in the recent period. The total number of units covered by the fiber-optic network reached 926,884 units across the Sultanate’s governorates as of the end of November 2025, including 415,792 units in Muscat Governorate and 511,092 units outside Muscat.

The total number of subscribers has reached 326,406 active subscribers, surpassing the 320,000-subscriber milestone for the first time since the company’s establishment—clear evidence of the success of the expansion strategy and the quality of services provided.

The company continues to focus on expanding the coverage of its fiber-optic network. Coverage in Muscat Governorate has exceeded 87% of units, while coverage outside Muscat has reached approximately 56% of total units across the Sultanate in 2025.
As part of its ambitious plan, the company aims to connect one million residential units to the fiber-optic network over the next three years, while strengthening investment in core infrastructure and expanding partnerships with various stakeholders to ensure the successful achievement of this target.

It is worth noting that the company’s total investments and transferred assets have exceeded 327 million Omani rials since its establishment in 2014, reflecting its ongoing commitment to developing the telecommunications sector and strengthening the digital infrastructure in the Sultanate.

The network expansion also included Musandam Governorate, covering the wilayats of Bukha and Dibba during 2025, while Khasab and Madha had already been covered as part of projects implemented in earlier phases. Oman has witnessed remarkable progress in communications infrastructure in recent years, which is evident in the significant growth in subscriber numbers and the expansion of the fiber-optic network—contributing to the digital economy and improving quality of life and public services across various sectors.

926,884Total number of covered units / Home Pass
415,792Total number of units in Muscat / Home Pass Muscat
511,092Total number of units outside Muscat / Home Pass Outside Muscat
87%Coverage rate in Muscat Currently/ Coverage
56%Coverage rate outside Muscat Currently/ Coverage
326,406Total number of active subscribers / Active Subscribers

Partnerships and Agreements

What are the key partnerships the company is working on, and how do they contribute to developing the broadband infrastructure in the Sultanate of Oman?

Oman Broadband is currently implementing a set of strategic partnerships with government entities, telecommunications service providers, and real estate developers, with the goal of building an integrated digital infrastructure that supports the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and enhances digital transformation across various sectors.

Among the most prominent of these partnerships:

  • ● Collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology to improve the efficiency of fiber-optic coverage in new residential areas.
  • ● Partnerships with telecommunications operators to provide flexible, high-capacity solutions for service providers and end users.
  • ● Collaboration with major real estate developers to provide integrated broadband infrastructure in modern projects, with agreements signed for major developments such as Al Thuraya City, Al Bandar Project, the Blue City, Al Mouj Muscat Project and others, ensuring that fiber-optic infrastructure is incorporated from the earliest stages of project implementation.
  • ● Recently, a cooperation agreement was signed between Oman Broadband and Bawariq Nizwa Company to provide fiber-optic connectivity and support smart solutions in the Wilayat of Nizwa, including Souq Al-Aqr.
  • ● Coverage was also expanded to several wilayats during 2025, including Sinaw, Yanqul, Bidbid, Samad Al-Shan, Taqah, Mirbat, Al Hamra, Al Mudhaibi, Al Kamil Wal Wafi, Dhank, Adam, Bukha, and Khasab, Seeb, Al Amerat, Barka, Bidiyah, Manah, Quriyat, Salalah, Al Suwaiq, Sohar, Al Masnaah, Al Khaburah, Bahla, Nizwa, Barka Al-Mawz.

These partnerships emphasize the company’s commitment to supporting modern urban planning efforts and ensuring the integration of smart digital infrastructure in new real estate developments. This contributes to enhancing quality of life and providing advanced digital services to citizens and residents across the Sultanate.

Sultan Haitham City Project and Al Khuwair Downtown

What is new regarding the fiber-optic network in the Sultan Haitham City Project and Al Khuwair Downtown?

Oman Broadband gives special attention to major national projects that represent advanced models of smart urban planning, most notably the Sultan Haitham City project and the Al Khuwair Downtown project, among others.

In Sultan Haitham City, the company has completed the preliminary designs for the fiber-optic network infrastructure, which aims to cover all residential, commercial, educational, and service facilities in the city to ensure technological readiness from the earliest stages of development. These designs follow the latest global standards in smart-network planning to ensure service sustainability, ease of future expansion, and the provision of high speeds and reliable connectivity that support the city’s digital transformation.

As for Al Khuwair Downtown, the company is currently designing and providing smart digital-infrastructure solutions that align with the smart-city concept. This design enables the operation of Internet-of-Things applications, smart facility and public-service management systems, and advanced connectivity solutions for businesses and residents.

Both projects represent leading urban models, reflecting the integration of digital infrastructure with urban development. They contribute to enhancing quality of life and establishing an advanced digital environment that supports innovation and economic growth in the Sultanate of Oman.

Omanization and Employment

How does Oman Broadband enhance Omanization and develop national talent?

Oman Broadband places great importance on supporting employment policies, increasing Omanization rates, developing national competencies, and creating quality and sustainable job opportunities. This aligns with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 in developing human capital and empowering Omani talent across various fields.

The company has achieved a remarkable milestone in this regard, with Omanization rate of national workforce at the company has exceeded 99%.. The presence of national talents—who form the backbone of the company’s technical, administrative, and technological operations—reflects the company’s success in building a strong and qualified national base capable of supporting business sustainability and advancing the digital sector in the Sultanate.

Tamkeen Program

The number of graduates and beneficiaries of the Tamkeen program and the company’s internal training programs at Oman Broadband Company is expected to reach approximately 802 by the end of 2025, with over 50% of the beneficiaries employed within the company, externally, or through contractors.

The program is announced twice a year to expand the number of beneficiaries and covers a wide range of engineering disciplines, including Electronics, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Engineering, and Urban Planning, as well as administrative fields such as Project Management, Business Administration, Supply Chain, Communication and Marketing, and Human Resources. The program aims to meet local market needs and support the development of national talent.

Local Content

How does Oman Broadband contribute to enhancing local content and empowering small and medium enterprises?

Oman Broadband gives significant attention to enhancing local content and supporting small and medium enterprises, considering them one of the vital pillars of the national economy.

In 2025 alone, the total value of contracts awarded to small and medium enterprises SME amounted to approximately nine million Omani rials, representing 39 % of the company’s total direct procurement. The indirect allocation to these companies amounted to about six million Omani rials, representing 41 % of the total works awarded to major companies. These figures reflect a firm commitment to empowering national companies and enhancing their presence in local projects, both directly and indirectly through broadband contractors.

Within the framework of supporting this vital sector, the company has adopted a package of clear policies aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises, most notably:

  • ● Awarding all contracts less than 10,000 Omani rials exclusively to these enterprises, except in special exemption cases.
  • ● For tenders exceeding 10,000 Omani rials, SMEs are granted a 10% preference when evaluating their bids.
  • ● A 10% preference is given to locally manufactured products (Made in Oman) in all company purchases.

Additionally, during this year, the company has implemented several quality initiatives supporting local content, including:

  • ● Assigning all fiber optic network projects with an estimated cost of less than half a million Omani rials exclusively to SMEs to enable them to expand and compete in larger projects.
  • ● Supporting and qualifying several companies to obtain international accreditations ISO, to enhance their readiness and ability to expand in the local and regional market.  Last year (2024) Oman Broadband qualified four SMEs at its own expense, while it is currently working on qualifying another four more companies.

This approach has had a tangible impact on the company’s institutional performance indicators, as the ICV Index increased by 6% in 2025; while The SME Index additionally increased by 5%. This indices confirm Oman Broadband success in achieving its national goals and enhancing local content in infrastructure and the digital economy projects.

Social Investment Initiatives

How does The Oman Broadband Company contribute to supporting social investment and promoting sustainable development?

Building on its commitment to supporting social investment initiatives and promoting sustainable development, The Oman Broadband Company continues to play its national role in serving the community by implementing high-quality programs and projects that focus on innovation and technology, education, health and sports, youth empowerment, and improving quality of life.

The company continues its efforts to support the digital infrastructure of smart cities by implementing innovative projects that enhance the quality of public services. For example, it has carried out a project connecting traffic signals to the Muscat Municipality Data Center, which contributes to improving public safety and increasing the efficiency of traffic management.

The company has also implemented initiatives to support the education sector by providing schools across various governorates in the Sultanate of Oman with high-speed fiber optic network services and essential digital infrastructure. This reduces the digital divide and enables students to acquire future-ready skills. The initiative is expected to cover approximately 682 schools with fiber optics by the end of 2025.

In the field of developing public service infrastructure, The Oman Broadband Company contributed to Smart Shuttle Bus Project in partnership with “Madayn” & Mwasalat and relevant authorities to provide modern and safe bus stops and shelters in the Knowledge Oasis, enhancing service quality and ensuring a better experience for citizens and residents.

Sponsorships and youth Empowerment

The Oman Broadband Company continues to support community and development initiatives through various programs that promote social investment and youth empowerment. The company supported the production of health awareness content using artificial intelligence in collaboration with the Directorate General of Health Services in Muscat Governorate. Oman Broadband also participated in the International Day of Persons with Disabilities event, alongside supporting child protection and post-care programs in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development.

Oman Broadband has implemented sustainable environmental initiatives, including the recycling of fiber-optic wooden drums to support small and medium enterprises, promote the circular economy, and enhance environmental sustainability. Additionally, the company’s Data Center Solar Initiative involves installing solar panels and upgrading batteries and energy-efficient infrastructure at selected sites such as Bahja, Sah Roll, and Thamrait, supporting environmental sustainability and strengthening operational readiness.

In supporting national events related to technology, innovation, and youth empowerment, the company sponsored several events, including: the Oman Broadband Bridges Forum for Empowering Persons with Disabilities, and the Global Social Innovation Summit under the theme “Empowering Youth,” with participation from representatives of the GCC and Arab countries. It also supported the International Conference on Advances in Engineering, Science, and Technology to promote scientific and technological innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence, smart cities, green technology, cybersecurity, medical engineering, and more.

The company also continued to support sports and social initiatives by organizing the Oman Broadband Marathon in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports.

Furthermore, the company supported the North Al Batinah Festival initiative in partnership with the Governor of North Al Batinah. This initiative aims to support social and economic development in the governorate, benefiting many job seekers and small family-run businesses through training programs, marketing, and employment opportunities. These efforts help participants acquire skills, achieve sustainable income, and enhance their participation in the local economy.

The Oman Broadband Company also provided support for the National Training Marina Program in collaboration with Fourth Innovation Company and in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Muscat. Dozens of Omani youth seeking employment benefit from specialized training programs in emerging technologies and digital creativity, followed by clear career pathways, enhancing participants’ readiness to enter the labor market and the digital economy.