29 Apr Interview with Mr. Talal Said Al Mamari, CEO of Omantel
As the leader in telecommunications in Oman, Omantel has consistently driven innovation and set benchmarks in the industry to support Oman Vision 2040. What are Omantel’s key priorities and strategies to remain at the forefront of telecommunications and to contribute to the Vision?
Omantel is the leading provider of integrated Telecommunications and ICT solutions in Oman. Our strategic vision aligns with Oman Vision 2040 to foster and grow a digitally advanced economy. We focus on key priorities to maintain our leadership in the technology space, expand Oman’s digital landscape, and support economic diversification while contributing to national development and meeting the broader goals of Vision 2040.
Omantel is committed to enhancing Oman’s core telecommunications and digital infrastructure by investing in advanced core technologies such as fiber optics and 5G/6G. We also invest in emerging technologies spanning Data Centers, Cloud, Cybersecurity, IoT, Applications, and AI-ML. These investments aim to provide high-speed internet access and digital applications to individuals, ensure robust domestic and international connectivity, and offer bespoke ICT solutions for businesses.
Through strategic partnerships and alliances, Omantel is driving digital transformation and technological innovation in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative AI, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things (IoT). These technologies enhance customer experiences and support the development of smart solutions, digital platforms, and business applications across various industries. Our global collaborations with leading technology players such as Amazon (AWS), Google, Microsoft, Huawei, and Ericsson fuel innovation, while our joint venture with Zain Group strengthens our regional market expansion.
Sustainability remains a core pillar of Omantel’s strategy, with a commitment to supporting projects that align with environmental and social governance principles. This includes investments in renewable energy, e-waste recycling, and green building projects, reflecting our dedication to sustainable development.
Omantel is also dedicated to community development by supporting education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, SME growth, and sustainability initiatives. These efforts aim to create a digitally enhanced society with equitable access to quality education and leverage technological innovation to foster societal well-being and economic progress.
With the rapid evolution of global connectivity, strategic partnerships play a crucial role in enhancing network capabilities. How is Omantel collaborating with international telecom operators, hyperscalers and global digital infrastructure providers to enhance connectivity, data exchange and cloud services for businesses worldwide?
A key success for Omantel has been its strategic geography. Located between major data centers in the East (Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia) and the West (Europe), Oman’s position is a significant advantage. Since 2012, we have invested in subsea cables, with 16 cables now landing in Oman. This subsea cable ecosystem has attracted global players, including the biggest hyperscalers, which serve the surrounding region from Oman. We also attracted Equinix, the world’s largest data center company, to establish a joint venture that established the first-ever carrier-neutral data center in the MENA region, starting in Barka (MC1) and later expanding to Salalah (SN1). Our focus has been on providing reliable connectivity for global operators, hyperscalers, and content aggregators looking to be closer to their customer base in the region. While data centers are an infrastructure play, Omantel differentiates itself by being an enabler, not just an investor, allowing other carriers to connect freely to these data centers. This open access, combined with our subsea cables and global data center ecosystem, positions us as a key player in the region, supporting innovation and talent development.
Building on that success and taking it to the next level, we have partnered with Zain to create a joint venture called Zain Omantel International (ZOI). ZOI signifies a substantial advancement in the telecommunications industry and is becoming a global powerhouse due to Zain’s extensive regional presence and success in the retail and digital arenas, combined with Omantel’s exceptional wholesale capabilities and comprehensive international subsea and terrestrial networks. The joint venture caters to the end-to-end telecommunications needs of operators in the Middle East, as well as international carriers, data centers, hyperscalers, content providers, and cloud providers seeking services within the region and beyond. ZOI now operates in eight countries, serving more than 50 million customers, making it the global gateway for our region.
Oman’s strategic location and advanced telecom infrastructure make it an ideal gateway for global digital connectivity. As data centers become increasingly critical for cloud services, AI and digital transformation, how do you see Japan as a key digital partner in this sector?
Japan has long been a technology pioneer, and its advancements continue to inspire us. A key pillar of Omantel’s strategy is to be an innovation orchestrator, and we welcome collaborations that bring cutting-edge technologies to Oman and the wider
region. We are already connected to Japan through subsea cables linking the Japanese market to the Middle East. Beyond infrastructure, we seek opportunities to enhance the innovation ecosystem in Oman and the region. Japan’s innovations can support Oman’s Vision 2040 and other regional transformation initiatives, with Omantel playing an enabling role.
Omantel’s sponsorship of the Oman Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka highlights its commitment to promoting Oman’s culture, innovation, and aspirations on a global platform. What motivated Omantel to sponsor the Oman Pavilion at Expo 2025, and how does this sponsorship align with the company’s strategic vision and international ambitions?
The Pavilion offers a platform for cultural exchange between countries. Oman’s participation, starting in Milan and followed by Dubai, reflects its long history of openness to diverse cultures, influenced by interactions with the Indian subcontinent and Eastern Africa. This cultural exchange has fostered strong economic and trade relationships. The Pavillion highlights Oman’s commitment to transparency and its strong potential for strategic collaboration. In today’s world, trade is not just traditional—it involves the exchange of ideas and technological advancements, which drive innovation, economic growth, and improve people’s lives. For Omantel, the Pavilion is an opportunity to highlight the capabilities within Oman’s economy, attracting international companies to invest and operate from Oman.
As the digital economy becomes increasingly borderless, how does Omantel plan to expand its international presence and what are your priorities for the next 5 to 10 years?
Omantel has come a long way from being solely a domestic operator in Oman. We have expanded our geographic reach through strategic partnerships, technology alliances, and investments in submarine cable systems, attracting significant reciprocal investments and business opportunities from global hyperscalers, cloud providers, content aggregators, and multinational companies. In 2017, we established a major joint venture with Zain Group to expand our regional footprint across Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, and Sudan. We continue to pursue collaboration opportunities to further extend our presence in emerging markets.
Our international expansion creates opportunities for both organic and inorganic growth, supporting enterprise businesses and government ministries in accelerating their digital transformation journeys. As part of our strategic vision, we remain focused on investing in advanced network and digital infrastructure, the cultivation of a diverse startup ecosystem, and developing emerging skills and knowledge-based opportunities for young Omanis—ensuring a future-ready workforce for the digital economy.
Do you have any closing remarks for our readers who are considering visiting or investing in Oman?
Oman is more than a destination, it’s a bridge between tradition and innovation, and has long embraced a foreign policy rooted in friendship and neutrality, an enduring legacy of the late Sultan Qaboos, carried forward with vision and consistency by His Majesty Sultan Haitham. This principled diplomacy continues to define Oman’s global relationships. Today, Oman stands open and ready for business, backed by robust infrastructure and a strategic position that makes it a compelling destination for global companies seeking to expand into Oman and the broader region. We have demonstrated our capacity to host complex, high demand enterprises, such as hyperscalers serving not only the GCC but also neighbouring markets like Iraq, Iran and Pakistan. Oman is well-positioned for the future, supported by a skilled, reliable workforce and a strong focus on on-going talent development. It’s neutral foreign policy, political stability, and resilient infrastructure make it a strategic hub for sustainable, long-term growth. For those considering a visit, you’ll find a nation rich in diverse culture, warmth and breathtaking landscapes.