Phone, Internet, and mail in Oman
Phone and Internet services are easily available through different providers. Landline services are mainly used by companies, while most individuals still use their mobile phones at home. Connections are of a high standard, with a network of optic fiber deployed for over a decade in major cities along with a continuously expanding 5G network across all areas.
Telecommunication providers in Oman
The telecommunications sector in Oman is regulated by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). The TRA promotes competition in the telecommunications market to improve the quality and availability of services. It also regulates the pricing of telecommunication services to prevent unfair practices and ensure affordability. Promotions and special offers by operators also need to be approved by the TRA to ensure transparency and fairness.
Good to know:
The country code is 968, and landline numbers start with a 2, while mobile numbers start with a 9 or a 7.
Oman Telecommunications Company
Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) is Oman's largest and oldest telecommunications service provider, offering a wide range of services, including fixed-line telephony, mobile services, high-speed internet, and business solutions.
Omantel's mobile plans meet various customers' needs with prepaid and postpaid options. It has also been developing 4G LTE services, expanding 5G networks, and providing improved connections with high-speed Internet, including ADSL, fiber optic, and wireless Internet connections.
Omantel also provides traditional telephone services for housing and commercial customers and offers reliable vocal communication.
Ooredoo Oman
Ooredoo Oman is a leading telecommunications service provider in Oman, offering a wide range of services, including mobile, landline, and internet services. The company is part of the Ooredoo Group, a well-known telecommunications operator with a strong presence in the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. Ooredoo plans include a range of data, voice, and SMS plans, not to mention wide 4G LTE coverage across the country.
Vodafone Oman
Vodafone Oman is part of the Vodafone Group, a global telecommunications company headquartered in the UK. Vodafone Oman offers a variety of mobile plans, including both prepaid and postpaid options with different data packages, voice minutes, and SMS allowances.
Telecommunication costs in Oman
Depending on data and minutes needed, prepaid plans cost from OMR 1 to OMR 20 and postpaid plans from OMR 10 to OMR 50 per month. All providers offer roaming packages for international travel, which typically start at OMR 5 for basic data and call usage abroad. You can also buy additional data starting at OMR 1 for small top-ups of 500 MB, depending on the provider.
Omantel Jawazak plans cost as follows:
- OMR 5 Plan: 2 GB of data + 50 local minutes + 50 international minutes (valid for 10 days).
- OMR 10 Plan: 4 GB of data + 100 local minutes + 100 international minutes (valid for 15 days).
- OMR 15 Plan: 6 GB of data + 150 local minutes + 150 international minutes (valid for 30 days).
Vodafone plans cost as follows:
- OMR 5 Plan: 2 GB of data + 100 local minutes (valid for 10 days).
- OMR 10 Plan: 6 GB of data + 250 local minutes (valid for 30 days).
Internet in Oman
Awasr is a renowned telecommunications provider in Oman, specializing in providing high-speed fiber optic internet services. The company specializes only in providing reliable, high-speed broadband connectivity to residential, commercial, and government customers across Oman.
The cost of home broadband
Low-speed plans (10-20 Mbps) cost from OMR 20 to OMR 32 per month, mid-speed plans (50 Mbps) between OMR 25 to OMR 40 per month, and high-speed plans (100-150 Mbps) from OMR 30 to OMR 75 per month. Some providers may charge an installation fee, typically ranging from OMR 15 to OMR 30, though promotions often waive this cost for new customers.
Mobile phone subscription in Oman
Oman residents will need a civil ID (Resident Card). Visitors or tourists can use their passport. Some providers may ask for proof of address, especially for home internet or land-line subscriptions. For postpaid services, some providers may run a credit check. The provider will schedule an installation appointment for fiber-optic or DSL connections. Installation may take a few days. Some telecom providers, especially for mobile services, offer online subscriptions where the SIM card or modem will be delivered to your address. If you are switching between telecom providers, you can keep your existing phone number through Mobile Number Portability (MNP). Just inform your new provider, and they will handle the transfer for you.
How to pay phone and internet bills in Oman
Most phone and Internet bills in Oman can easily be paid through online channels. Each operator has its own website or mobile app to make payments. Moreover, most of the banks also provide bill payment services via their own apps. They are expected to be paid monthly; otherwise, the line can be cut or suspended.
Postal services in Oman
Oman Post, managed under the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, is the national postal operator responsible for mail and parcel services in Oman. It provides a variety of services, including domestic and international mail, express delivery, and registered mail, enabling the efficient sending and receiving of letters, documents, and parcels. Oman Post provides parcel tracking and expedited courier services, such as same-day or next-day delivery.
For international connections, Oman Post supports global mail and package dispatch through standard and express shipping options. It also facilitates financial transactions through its money transfer services and offers postal savings accounts and investment opportunities.
International postal services
There are also a few international postal and parcel shipping services in Oman, such as DHL, Aramex, and Fedex. Most of them are based in Muscat, and a few have branches in other major cities, such as Sohar and Salalah.
Postal shipping costs
Standard International Mail through Oman Post is generally utilized for sending letters, small parcels, and documents. Pricing varies by destination. For letters weighing up to 250 grams, the average cost is OMR 2.000. Small parcels up to 1 kg are priced between OMR 6.000 and OMR 12.000, while larger parcels weighing up to 5 kg can cost as much as OMR 40.000.
For urgent shipments, Express International Mail is available, and pricing ranges from OMR 10.000 to OMR 80.000, depending on the size and destination of the package. Meanwhile, international courier services typically charge between OMR 15.000 and OMR 30.000 for shipping international parcels.
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