Oman Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

Build applications that interact with Oman's phone number system. This guide covers number formats, area codes, dialing procedures, number portability, and regulatory information you need for accurate validation and integration.

Oman Phone Number Format and Dialing Procedures

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) regulates Oman's phone number system. Understanding the structure of Omani phone numbers helps you build reliable applications that handle the country's 8-digit numbering format correctly.

Domestic Dialing Format

Oman uses a consistent 8-digit phone number format for all number types, making domestic calling straightforward.

Best Practice: Always dial the full 8-digit number for any domestic call. This ensures accurate routing and connection.

How to Dial Oman Numbers Internationally

Dialing Oman phone numbers from abroad requires the +968 country code and specific formatting.

Outgoing International Calls:

1. Dial 00 (international prefix)
2. Wait for the dial tone
3. Dial the country code, area code (if applicable), and recipient's number
4. Example: To call a US number, dial 00 1 212 555 1234

Check specific dialing rules for the destination country.

Incoming International Calls: Include the country code +968 before the 8-digit number when sharing your Omani number internationally (e.g., +968 24123456). The "+" ensures compatibility with international dialing formats.

Oman Area Codes and Number Structure

Oman uses a 4-digit National Destination Code (NDC) system for geographic identification. The 8-digit National Significant Number (NSN) consists of a 4-digit NDC followed by a 4-digit line number. Understanding these area codes is essential for proper phone validation.

Fixed-Line (Landline) Prefixes:

Mobile Number Prefixes by Operator:

Important: Due to Mobile Number Portability (MNP), the initial digits of a mobile number no longer reliably indicate the specific operator. Verify the current operator through official channels if this information is critical for your application.

Oman Emergency Numbers and Special Services

Oman provides these essential emergency service numbers for residents and visitors:

Emergency Service Accessibility: The Royal Oman Police provides free emergency services through the Public Authority for Civil Defense and Ambulance (PACDA). The 9999 central call center routes calls to appropriate services and forwards them to the nearest service location. Emergency medical technicians are trained to Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) level. For accessibility support, the TRA has issued Guidelines for Service Providers on Telecom Services for Persons with Special Needs, which includes provisions for video relay services enabling sign language communication for hearing or speech impaired persons.

Mobile Number Portability in Oman (MNP)

Oman's Mobile Number Portability (MNP) system allows you to switch operators while retaining your existing mobile number. The TRA regulates this system under Number Portability Regulations (REG/TA/0034) to promote competition and consumer choice.

Key Features of MNP

• Flexibility: Switch between any licensed Omani mobile operator (Omantel, Ooredoo, Vodafone).
• Number Retention: Keep your existing 8-digit mobile number.
• Service Types: Available for both prepaid and postpaid subscriptions.
• Processing Time: The TRA mandates completion within 5 working days, though most ports complete within 24–48 hours.

MNP Fees and Requirements

According to TRA regulations:

• Operator Costs: Each operator bears its own service set-up costs for implementing NP capability. The recipient operator pays the donor operator's administrative and operational porting costs.
• Customer Fees: Operators must inform you of any costs and obligations related to service termination before porting. Contact your current and new providers for specific customer-facing fees.
• Eligibility: Obtain valid authorization from the recipient operator and settle all outstanding bills with your current provider before porting.
• Contract Implications: Check with your donor operator for any early termination fees or contract obligations when porting your number.

Note: As of August 2025, MNP services are temporarily suspended for system upgrades to a new Central Number Portability System. Check with the TRA for current service status.

MNP Process

1. Request Submission: Submit a porting request to your new provider with valid customer authorization.
2. Verification: Your new provider verifies your identity and current subscription details.
3. Confirmation: Receive confirmation and a porting schedule from your new provider.
4. Service Interruption: Experience minimal service interruption during the switch.

Troubleshooting Common Issues:

• Delays: Settle all outstanding bills and submit authorization correctly. The donor operator may contact you to confirm the porting request is legitimate.
• Service Quality: Per TRA regulations, porting must not degrade service quality, reliability, or convenience.
• Rejected Request: Verify you've provided accurate information and that no contractual restrictions prevent the port.

Important: Settle any outstanding bills with your current provider before initiating the porting process to avoid delays or complications. Operators must not discuss competing services or make counter-offers to prevent porting until one month after the porting order executes.

Oman Telecom Operators and Network Coverage

Oman has 4 primary telecommunications operators providing mobile and fixed-line services:

• Omantel: The incumbent operator offers fixed-line, mobile, and internet services with nationwide coverage. Omantel holds the largest fixed-line market share and a significant mobile market share.
• Ooredoo Oman: Provides fixed-line, mobile, and internet services, primarily in major cities and towns. Ooredoo competes strongly in the mobile market and operates advanced 5G services.
• Vodafone Oman: Focuses on mobile and internet services with growing coverage. Vodafone has rapidly expanded its market share since entering in 2022.
• Awasr: Provides fixed-line services with shared access to the 22xx number range.

Operator Network Comparison (January 2025)

Based on Opensignal's Mobile Network Experience Report (January 2025):

Key Takeaways:

• Omantel and Ooredoo provide superior nationwide coverage and are best for users needing reliable service across Oman
• Vodafone offers competitive speeds and experience in urban areas with its digital-first strategy
• For 5G performance, Omantel delivers the fastest download speeds, while Vodafone excels in overall user experience metrics

Regulatory Framework and Compliance

The TRA oversees the telecommunications sector under Royal Decree No. 30/2002 (Telecommunications Regulatory Act), ensuring market development, consumer protection, technical standards compliance, competition, and service quality.

Licensing Requirements for Businesses

Businesses providing telecommunications services in Oman must obtain appropriate licensing:

License Fees: Operators must pay prescribed license fees as set by the TRA. View the Schedule of Licensing Fees on the TRA website.

Compliance Requirements

For Telecommunications Service Providers:

• Type Approval: All telecommunications equipment must receive type approval from the TRA before import or use. As of August 2024, new regulations require equipment certificates valid for 4 years with QR code labeling requirements.
• Interconnection: Licensees have the right to interconnect and share sites. Dominant operators must issue a Reference Interconnection Offer (RIO) subject to TRA approval.
• Consumer Protection: Clearly indicate pricing, service characteristics, and after-sales services per the Consumer Rights Law and TRA Consumer Guidelines.
• Number Portability: All licensees must implement and support MNP per TRA regulations.

For Application Developers:

• Data Protection: Handle customer information received during number portability or validation processes only for intended purposes.
• Numbering Compliance: Use only TRA-allocated number ranges. Validate numbers against the National Numbering Plan to ensure compliance.
• Service Quality: Applications must not degrade network quality or reliability.

Enforcement and Penalties:

Violations can result in:

• Imprisonment up to 2 years
• Fines up to OMR 50,000
• License suspension (up to 3 months)
• License duration reduction (up to 50%)
• Fines up to OMR 1,000,000 per violation
• Doubled fines for repeat violations

Operating without a license is a criminal offense.

Contact for Compliance Queries:

• TRA Call Center: 1000
• Email: consumer@tra.gov.om
• WhatsApp: 24222222

Phone Number Validation: Regex Patterns for Oman

The TRA manages number allocation and defines valid number ranges. Use these regular expressions (regex) for validating Omani phone numbers in your applications:

// Validation functions based on TRA National Numbering Plan
function isValidLandline(number) {
  // Fixed-line: 22xx–26xx ranges (4-digit NDC + 4-digit line number)
  return /^2[2-6]\d{6}$/.test(number);
}

function isValidMobile(number) {
  // Mobile: 71–72, 76–79, 90–99 ranges
  return /^(7[1-2]|7[6-9]|9[0-9])\d{6}$/.test(number);
}

function isValidOmanNumber(number) {
  // Validates any Omani 8-digit number (landline or mobile)
  return /^[2679]\d{7}$/.test(number);
}

// Example usage
console.log(isValidLandline("24123456")); // true – Muscat landline
console.log(isValidLandline("21123456")); // false – 21xx not allocated
console.log(isValidMobile("91123456")); // true – Omantel mobile
console.log(isValidMobile("78123456")); // true – Ooredoo mobile
console.log(isValidMobile("76123456")); // true – Vodafone mobile

Input Sanitization Best Practices:

function sanitizeOmanNumber(input) {
  // Remove all non-numeric characters except +
  let cleaned = input.toString().replace(/[^\d+]/g, '');

  // Remove country code if present
  if (cleaned.startsWith('+968')) {
    cleaned = cleaned.substring(4);
  } else if (cleaned.startsWith('968')) {
    cleaned = cleaned.substring(3);
  }

  // Return only if exactly 8 digits
  return cleaned.length === 8 ? cleaned : null;
}

Market Performance and Statistics

The TRA publishes telecommunications statistics, including service penetration rates and quality metrics. These statistics provide value for market research and application development. Key metrics include mobile penetration, fixed broadband penetration, network availability, and call success rates.

Recent Market Indicators (2024-2025):

• Total telecom service revenue projected to grow at 3.7% CAGR over 2024-2029
• Ooredoo leads in mobile subscriptions market share (2023-2024), followed closely by Omantel
• Vodafone Oman has rapidly grown market share since 2022 entry
• Mobile data and fixed broadband segments drive revenue growth

Find detailed statistics and sector indicators on the TRA's official website.

FAQ: Oman Phone Numbers

What is Oman's country code for international calls?

Oman's country code is +968. When calling Oman from abroad, dial your international exit code (011 from the US, 00 from most countries) followed by 968 and the 8-digit local number. For example, to call a Muscat landline from the United States, dial 011-968-24123456.

How many digits are in an Oman phone number?

Oman phone numbers contain 8 digits after the country code. The complete international format is +968 followed by 8 digits, making 11 characters total (including the + and country code). This unified format applies to all landlines, mobile numbers, and most service numbers.

What are the mobile phone prefixes in Oman?

Oman mobile numbers use 71–72, 76–79, and 90–99 prefixes. Omantel operates 71–72 and 90–99 ranges, Vodafone uses 76–77, and Ooredoo operates 78–79 and portions of 90–99. Due to Mobile Number Portability (MNP), these prefixes no longer guarantee the current operator.

How do I validate Oman phone numbers with regex?

Use these regex patterns for Oman phone number validation:

• Landline validation: /^2[2-6]\d{6}$/ (validates 22xx–26xx ranges)
• Mobile number validation: /^(7[1-2]|7[6-9]|9[0-9])\d{6}$/ (validates 71–72, 76–79, 90–99 prefixes)
• Any Oman number: /^[2679]\d{7}$/ (validates all 8-digit Oman numbers)

All patterns validate the 8-digit format without the country code. Add ^\+968 prefix for international E.164 format validation. For complete phone number validation guidance, see our E.164 phone format guide.

What are the area codes for major cities in Oman?

Oman uses 4-digit National Destination Codes (NDC):

• 24xx: Muscat (capital region)
• 23xx: Dhofar and Al Wusta
• 25xx: Ad Dakhiliyah, Ash Sharqiyah, and Ad Dhahirah
• 26xx: Al Batinah and Musandam
• 22xx: Multi-operator services (Omantel, Ooredoo, Awasr)

No area code is required for domestic calls within Oman – simply dial the full 8-digit number.

How does Mobile Number Portability work in Oman?

Mobile Number Portability (MNP) allows you to switch between Omantel, Ooredoo, and Vodafone while keeping your existing mobile number. The process takes 24–48 hours (maximum 5 working days per TRA regulations). Submit a porting request to your new provider with valid authorization, settle any outstanding bills with your current provider, and experience minimal service interruption during the switch. MNP is available for both prepaid and postpaid subscriptions. Each operator bears implementation costs, but the donor operator can recover porting costs from the recipient operator. Customer-facing fees vary by operator.

How much does it cost to port my number in Oman?

MNP costs vary by operator. According to TRA regulations, operators must inform you of all costs and obligations before porting. Contact your current provider about any early termination fees and your new provider about porting fees. Infrastructure costs are borne by operators, but customer-facing charges may apply.

Do Oman operators support VoIP services?

Yes, VoIP services are regulated by the TRA under specific regulations and decisions. VoIP services are subject to licensing requirements depending on whether they're provided over public or private networks. Check the TRA's VoIP regulations for current policies.

Additional Resources

• TRA Official Website: http://www.tra.gov.om – The primary source for regulatory information and statistics.
• TRA Consumer Support: Call 1000, WhatsApp 24222222, or email consumer@tra.gov.om
• Omantel: https://www.omantel.om
• Ooredoo Oman: https://www.ooredoo.om
• Vodafone Oman: https://www.vodafone.om
• Royal Oman Police Emergency Services: https://www.rop.gov.om
• ITU National Numbering Plan: Referenced from ITU documentation (August 2019)
• Number Portability Regulations: TRA REG/TA/0034 (PDF)

This guide provides a solid foundation for working with Omani phone numbers. Consult the TRA website for the most up-to-date information and regulations.