Omantel تدرس خدمات الأقمار الصناعية مع GalaxySpace

Omantel has entered a collaboration with China’s GalaxySpace to study Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services, including direct-to-cell technology, with the aim of extending and strengthening connectivity across Oman. The partnership will conduct proof-of-concept trials, technical evaluations and commercial studies to assess how next‑generation satellite services could complement Omantel’s terrestrial networks for remote areas, maritime operations, industry and Internet of Things (IoT) deployments.

"Our collaboration with GalaxySpace reflects Omantel's commitment to exploring emerging technologies that can strengthen the resilience, reach, and future readiness of Oman’s connectivity ecosystem," said Eng Aladdin Baitfadhil, CEO of Omantel.

The technical cooperation will examine both the feasibility and potential service models before any decision is made on deployment or investment. Possible applications cited by the companies include resilient broadband where fibre or mobile coverage is limited, maintaining communications in difficult-to-reach locations, enterprise and industrial services, maritime and logistics connectivity and large-scale IoT applications. The two parties will also specifically study direct-to-cell technology, which could allow ordinary mobile devices to connect directly to satellites in areas where conventional terrestrial coverage is unavailable or limited.

• Proof-of-concept trials and technical evaluations to validate performance and integration with terrestrial networks
• Study of commercial viability and potential service models prior to investment decisions
• Assessment of applications including maritime connectivity, logistics, enterprise services and IoT
• Exploration of direct-to-cell capability to reach mobile handsets without terrestrial coverage

Peter Huang Heping, General Manager of International Business Development at GalaxySpace, framed the partnership as an assessment of how LEO broadband and direct-to-cell technologies could help develop satellite capabilities in Oman while opening opportunities across the wider region. GalaxySpace develops and manufactures LEO satellites and satellite internet systems and reports it has delivered more than 40 satellites. The firm also operates an intelligent manufacturing facility capable of producing 150 satellites annually and has developed 'Mini-Spider', a LEO broadband test constellation used to validate satellite internet applications.

Omantel emphasised that the collaboration will focus on technical cooperation and knowledge exchange to evaluate how satellite technology might support national priorities, including alignment with Oman Vision 2040. Baitfadhil noted that any future services would be contingent on market requirements, regulation and national priorities, underlining a staged approach where trials determine whether the collaboration progresses to commercial services or broader deployment.

Outlook

The near-term phase of the partnership will be dominated by trials and studies designed to demonstrate technical interoperability and to quantify commercial cases for satellite-enabled services. If those pilots prove viable, potential next steps include service launches targeted at underserved geographies, maritime customers and industrial IoT use cases, subject to regulatory clearance and market demand. The collaboration positions Omantel to evaluate an evolving mix of terrestrial and orbital connectivity options as operators worldwide explore LEO systems and direct-to-device capabilities.