MUSCAT: Oman’s mobile service subscriptions rose 2.5 per cent year on year to 8.52 million at the end of August, with growth in postpaid accounts and connected-device services offsetting a decline in prepaid subscriptions.
Total subscriptions reached 8,515,864, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
Active postpaid subscriptions increased 6.9 per cent to 1,334,758, while prepaid subscriptions fell 0.4 per cent to 5,461,283.
Internet of Things and machine-to-machine subscriptions grew 9.4 per cent to 1,719,823. These services accounted for about one-fifth of total mobile subscriptions.
Active mobile broadband subscriptions reached 5,686,755, while active fixed broadband subscriptions stood at 595,604.
Fibre-to-the-home and fibre-to-the-building connections increased 6.5 per cent year on year to 369,766, representing the largest category of fixed broadband subscriptions. Fixed 5G connections totalled 209,519.
Together, fibre and fixed 5G accounted for more than 97 per cent of fixed broadband subscriptions.
Satellite internet recorded the fastest growth among fixed internet technologies, rising 152.6 per cent to 2,084 subscriptions, although it remained a small part of the overall market.
Fixed 4G subscriptions fell 67.9 per cent to 5,107, while asymmetric digital subscriber line connections declined 23.1 per cent to 8,411.
Other fixed internet subscriptions, comprising power line communication, Ethernet and leased internet lines, decreased 4.5 per cent to 717.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
