Oman Plans 31 Submarine Cable Systems by 2030

Ajib Al Hajri, Oman Observer
November 4, 2026

Oman expects its submarine cable footprint to expand from 19 current systems to 31 by 2030, supported by 12 additional systems with contracts signed or already in force. Sohail Qadir, chief executive of Zain Omantel International, outlined the outlook during the Middle East 2026 Global Carrier Community Meeting in Muscat. The figures distinguish the country’s existing connectivity from its contracted pipeline: the additional systems are not all operational. Qadir said the expansion would position Oman as the region’s most connected country.

Zain Omantel International is the wholesale joint venture formed by Omantel and Kuwait’s Zain Group. Omantel has investments in more than 20 submarine cable systems, a portfolio that includes the direct Oman Australia Cable connection. That investment count is distinct from the number of systems currently landing in Oman. Alongside the cable expansion, Qadir described pressure on domestic digital infrastructure, saying Equinix facilities at Barka and Salalah were full and Oman Data Park was increasing its facilities. These developments place international connectivity and local infrastructure demand within the same growth discussion.

For cable owners and network operators, the commercial significance extends beyond the headline system count. Demand for data center space provides context for the market that additional international connections could serve, while Oman’s geographic position underpins its ambitions as a connectivity hub. New data centers under construction include a 10 MW development in Salalah and a separate facility in Muscat. The combination highlights the relationship between subsea connectivity and infrastructure ashore, although the announcement did not specify how individual future cables would connect with those facilities or allocate capacity.

The confirmed outlook remains a 2030 target supported by signed or in-force contracts for the 12 additions, rather than a statement that Oman already hosts 31 operating systems. No system-by-system delivery schedule was provided. The GCCM gathering, held November 1–4 in Muscat, brought together wholesale carriers, operators and connectivity providers, with delegates representing 60 countries. For those participants, the current status offers a clear distinction between Oman’s established landing base and its contracted expansion, while data center construction shows that supporting infrastructure is also developing.

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