Muscat – The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is set to launch a nationwide initiative to provide high-speed internet services to government schools through satellite technology, targeting remote and hard-to-reach areas across the sultanate.

The programme is part of wider efforts to support digital transformation in education and ensure equal access to learning resources for students regardless of location.

Samah Al Khudouri, Infrastructure Specialist at TRA, said the initiative is the first phase of a broader national plan aimed at ensuring full connectivity across all schools in Oman.

“Our ultimate goal is to provide 100% internet coverage for schools in Oman, enabling every student and teacher to benefit from digital educational services and modern learning technologies, regardless of their geographical location,” she said.

The first phase will focus on 49 government schools located in remote areas where fixed broadband infrastructure is either unavailable or difficult to deploy due to terrain constraints.

To implement the project, TRA has contracted Starlink to supply and install 185 satellite internet devices across the selected schools. The systems are expected to deliver speeds between 250Mbps and 500Mbps, significantly improving access to online educational platforms and digital content.

“The initiative seeks to ensure that students and teachers in remote communities have the same opportunities to access knowledge resources and digital educational tools as those in urban areas,” Samah said.

She added that the programme is designed to strengthen the use of educational technology, support e-learning initiatives, and expand access to digital learning resources in schools.

The initiative is also expected to enhance classroom teaching through greater integration of digital platforms, cloud-based services, virtual learning environments and interactive content.

TRA said the project will help reduce disparities between urban and rural schools by improving infrastructure and ensuring more equitable access to education.