Omantel to Work with China’s GalaxySpace on LEO and D2D Connectivity Trials

Omantel has signed a framework agreement with Chinese satellite operator GalaxySpace to explore Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite broadband and direct-to-device connectivity in Oman.

The agreement will focus on proof-of-concept trials and technical evaluations, rather than immediate commercial deployment. The companies will assess how LEO and direct-to-cell technologies could support coverage in areas where terrestrial infrastructure is difficult or uneconomical to deploy.

Target use cases include remote-area connectivity, maritime and logistics services, industrial IoT, service continuity and resilient communications in locations beyond the reach of fibre and mobile towers. For Oman, that could include desert regions, mountainous areas, coastal routes, ports and industrial sites.

GalaxySpace is a commercial Chinese LEO satellite operator with more than 40 satellites delivered and a Mini-Spider test constellation used to validate broadband and D2D capabilities. The company has also signed cooperation agreements in markets including Thailand and Nigeria, with Omantel becoming its first announced partner in the Gulf.

Omantel is positioning satellite as a complement to terrestrial networks, rather than a replacement. The operator said satellite capabilities are becoming increasingly important as part of the next phase of digital transformation, particularly in hard-to-reach areas and mission-critical environments.

The agreement remains in its early stages, with no commercial launch date as yet, nor investment figure or dedicated satellite capacity disclosed. Any future service would also require regulatory approval from Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.