Muscat – Omantel has launched a strategic research and development (R&D) initiative, establishing its first centralised and structured R&D function to place research at the heart of its technology development model.

The initiative aims to create a clear pathway for turning promising ideas into market-relevant solutions and commercially viable opportunities, while strengthening the company’s ability to anticipate and respond to global technological advances.

As generative AI, computing, connectivity and cybersecurity continue to advance rapidly, Omantel is strengthening its capacity to explore, test and develop emerging technologies. Through the initiative, the company aims to build local capabilities and accelerate early-stage experimentation in areas that address Oman’s specific needs and future opportunities.

The initiative also supports the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and the development of a knowledge-, technology- and innovation-driven economy.

Omantel’s R&D agenda focuses on four key areas: networking and connectivity, enterprise and the Internet of Things (IoT), generative AI, and AI infrastructure. These priorities will guide the company’s research activities, support the exploration of emerging technologies and help identify future business opportunities.

As part of the initiative, Omantel is strengthening its research and innovation ecosystem through strategic partnerships with the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (MIT CSAIL), Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), Oman College of Health Sciences (OCHS) and Modern College of Business and Science (MCBS).

The partnerships aim to enhance research collaboration, knowledge exchange and technological capabilities, while strengthening links between academic research and industry needs.

Global trends underline the growing strategic importance of sustained investment in research and development. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), global R&D expenditure is projected to grow by 3.6% in 2026, reaching approximately $3.4tn. This reflects continued global investment in research, innovation and technological capabilities.

Aladdin Baitfadhil, Chief Executive Officer of Omantel, said, “Oman’s talent has the capability, ambition and potential to contribute more actively to the development of future technologies. Through this R&D Initiative, we aim to connect that talent with research, industry expertise and advanced technological capabilities, creating new pathways to explore promising ideas and translate them into solutions with practical and commercial value.”

He added, “The initiative builds on the work of Omantel Innovation Labs and our engagement with Oman’s startup ecosystem. By expanding our collaboration with leading local and international academic institutions, we aim to forge stronger connections between research, talent and industry, creating an environment where technology is not only adopted, but increasingly developed in Oman, with relevance for the wider region.”

Building on Omantel’s regional role in digital and critical infrastructure, the company plans to publish an R&D white paper on generative AI infrastructure by the end of 2026.

The white paper will examine how Oman’s strategic location and digital capabilities could support the development of next-generation AI and cloud infrastructure, creating value for the country and the wider region. The publication reflects Omantel’s focus on strategically important emerging technologies.