The Sultanate of Oman has successfully completed the full shutdown of its 3G networks, transitioning entirely to more advanced 4G and 5G technologies. This process began in the third quarter of 2024, starting in less densely populated areas as part of a gradual implementation plan. In July 2024, 700 3G stations were decommissioned in the governorates of Al Buraimi, Al Dhahirah, and Musandam, followed by the closure of 584 stations in Al Dakhiliyah in December 2024. In January 2025, 864 stations were shut down in Al Wusta and Dhofar, and subsequently, 1,835 stations in the governorates of South and North Al Batinah and South and North Al Sharqiyah were taken offline.

The final phase saw the shutdown of 1,699 stations in Muscat Governorate by the second quarter of 2025, with the exception of a few stations around Muscat International Airport, which remain operational temporarily for technical reasons. This nationwide shutdown aimed to enhance telecommunications services, improve energy efficiency, and free up frequencies for 4G, 5G, and IoT technologies. As a result, over 5,600 stations were upgraded, leading to 99% 4G network coverage and 90% 5G coverage across the country, along with annual energy savings exceeding two million kilowatt-hours. Oman is now among the first countries in the world to fully retire its 3G network and transition to next-generation connectivity.

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