Oman witnessed a significant surge in mobile and internet subscriptions in 2023, according to the latest statistics issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The statistics showed that the total number of mobile phone subscriptions increased by 4.3 percent, while the number of active mobile broadband subscriptions increased by 9 percent, compared to 2022. The statistics also showed that the number of fixed internet service subscriptions increased by 4.6 percent, while the number of fixed-line telephone subscriptions increased by 2.9 percent, compared to 2022.
The statistics revealed that the total number of mobile phone subscriptions (postpaid and prepaid) reached 6,984,826 by the end of 2023, an increase of 4.3 percent compared to the end of 2022. The number of postpaid mobile phone subscriptions increased by 9.7 percent to reach 1,785,870 subscriptions, while the number of prepaid mobile phone subscriptions increased by 1.5 percent to reach 5,198,956 subscriptions.
The statistics also showed that the number of active mobile broadband subscriptions, which include 3G and 4G services, increased by 9 percent to reach 5,851,173 subscriptions by the end of 2023, compared to the same period of 2022. The number of active mobile broadband subscriptions accounted for 83.8 percent of the total mobile phone subscriptions in 2023.
Fixed Internet Service Subscriptions Exceed Half a Million
The statistics indicated that the number of fixed internet service subscriptions increased by 4.6 percent to reach 563,708 subscriptions by the end of 2023, compared to the same period of 2022. The number of fixed broadband service subscriptions (more than 256 KB/s) increased by 4.7 percent to reach 561,983 subscriptions, while the number of low-speed internet subscriptions (less than 256 KB/s) decreased by 0.1 percent to reach 1,725 subscriptions.
The statistics also showed that the number of fixed-line telephone subscriptions increased by 2.9 percent to reach 579,270 subscriptions by the end of 2023, compared to the end of 2022. The number of analogue fixed-line telephone subscriptions decreased by 4.8 percent to reach 225,416 subscriptions, while the number of fixed-line telephone subscriptions connected to internet protocol technology increased by 10.3 percent to reach 296,628 subscriptions.
Reasons and Implications of the Growth in Mobile and Internet Subscriptions
The growth in mobile and internet subscriptions in Oman can be attributed to various factors, such as the increasing demand for communication and connectivity, the availability and affordability of mobile and internet services, the development and innovation of mobile and internet technologies, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the digital transformation and adoption of online services.
The growth in mobile and internet subscriptions in Oman has positive implications for the social and economic development of the country, as it enhances the access and inclusion of the population to information and opportunities, improves the quality and efficiency of public and private services, supports the diversification and competitiveness of the economy, and fosters the innovation and creativity of the society.
