Regulatory Compliance News

Oman Advances Phased 3G Network Sunset to Accelerate 4G and 5G Expansion

Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), in coordination with major mobile network operators including Omantel, Ooredoo, and Vodafone Oman, has executed its strategic phase-out of third-generation (3G) cellular services nationwide. Initiated as a staged migration, the regulatory initiative prioritized less densely populated rural areas during its opening phases before expanding into major urban centers. By systematically switching off legacy 3G base stations, the TRA enables operators to re-farm valuable frequency spectrum—specifically within the 900 MHz and 2100 MHz bands—to bolster coverage density and data throughput for high-speed 4G LTE and advanced 5G networks.

To support the transition without disrupting consumer access, the TRA implemented regulatory measures banning the importation and sale of legacy devices that rely solely on 2G or 3G connectivity, as well as mobile phones lacking native Voice over LTE (VoLTE) capabilities. Mobile network operators have actively onboarded subscribers to VoLTE-enabled handsets to ensure uninterrupted access to voice and emergency services as 3G coverage is deactivated across regions.

This structural spectrum migration directly impacts equipment homologation and market access requirements managed by the TRA. Manufacturers, importers, and original equipment suppliers placing cellular hardware on the Omani market must verify that all terminal equipment, internet-of-things (IoT) modules, and cellular routers natively support multi-band 4G/5G protocols and VoLTE configurations. Type Approval applications submitted to the TRA must demonstrate compliance with current spectrum allocation plans, ensuring legacy-only hardware is excluded from import authorization workflows.