TRA Forum Highlights Legal Challenges in Oman’s Digital Revolution: What Investors and Entrepreneurs Need to Know
MUSCAT, SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 — The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) convened a forum on Tuesday to emphasize the importance of dynamic regulatory frameworks designed to protect users, foster innovation, and support the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
الحدث بعنوان “Electronic Applications and Legal Challenges in Muscat,” featured various speakers who highlighted both opportunities and legal complexities within Oman’s expanding digital ecosystem. This discussion comes as Oman boasts a remarkable 95 percent internet penetration, mobile subscriptions surpassing the national population, and 61 percent of Omanis actively engaged on social media platforms.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Ali bin Amer al Shaithani, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, underscored the nation’s commitment to advancing alongside the digital revolution. He noted that electronic applications have become "an inseparable part of everyday life," offering enhanced convenience and speed, yet also presenting pressing legal challenges that need to be addressed.
Taher bin Awadh al Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Legal Affairs Unit at TRA, emphasized the dual nature of these technological advances: "Electronic applications are now integral to modern life, streamlining services and boosting efficiency. While these developments offer vast potential, they also bring legal challenges that necessitate a balanced and transparent regulatory environment. Such a system must protect users, developers, and institutions while promoting innovation and investment."
Recent statistics illustrate the depth of digital adoption in Oman. By early 2025, active mobile subscriptions exceeded 6.7 million, representing 124 percent of the population. Internet penetration stands at nearly 95 percent, with 5.14 million users. Additionally, over 3.29 million Omanis—61 percent of the population—engage on social media.
Network connectivity has also seen substantial improvements, with average mobile broadband speeds reaching 92 Mbps and fixed broadband speeds averaging 78 Mbps. These high speeds support increasingly sophisticated digital applications. As of May 2025, Oman recorded more than 5.4 million mobile broadband subscriptions and nearly 588,000 fixed internet subscriptions.
A notable emerging trend is the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) sector, with subscriptions rising by more than 1.3 million since 2020 to reach a total of 1.55 million. Officials point to this surge as a clear sign of Oman’s transition towards smart cities, digital logistics, and new electronic services that bolster the digital economy.
Among social media platforms, Facebook leads with 4.17 million users, accounting for 71.4 percent of the population. Instagram follows with 2.81 million users (48.1 percent), while Messenger and LinkedIn have 1.88 million and 1.11 million users, respectively.
Given these extensive digital engagements, officials reiterated the critical need for robust legal and regulatory accountability. The TRA reaffirmed its dual mandate to regulate while also facilitating innovation, ensuring user security and maintaining market fairness. To support this, TRA is introducing adaptable measures such as regulatory sandboxes, pilot programs, and compliance frameworks to encourage responsible development by start-ups and Omani tech developers.
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Oman’s impressive digital penetration and the rise of IoT signal a fertile ground for tech-driven businesses and smart city innovations, but the rapid digital transformation also necessitates agile, balanced regulations to mitigate legal risks. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should focus on compliant innovation frameworks and leverage digital infrastructure growth while anticipating evolving legal standards to safeguard investments.
