Omantel Launches Muscat Innovation Labs to Foster Entrepreneurship

Oman’s leading telecommunications company, Omantel, has announced the launch of the Omantel Innovation Lab, to harness the company’s expertise, partnerships, and outreach for cultivating the tech-based startup ecosystem in Oman.

Aligned with Oman’s Vision 2040 in promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship, Omantel Innovation Lab aims to develop youth entrepreneurial skills and expedite the growth of Oman-based tech startups across five critical technological verticals, namely 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), Cybersecurity, customer experience technology, and Big Data.

The Innovation labs will be housed at a 1,100 sqm space at the Omantel headquarters in Muscat, with the provision of systematic spaces and events to accelerate product conceptualisation, prototyping, and deployment of solutions. 

“We want to support and tap into new ideas and technologies, stay ahead of the curve and drive local innovation. For this, we need to optimally deploy our resources and create an environment wherein caliber and opportunities match national digital transformation goals,” said Talal Said Al Mamari, CEO of Omantel.

Omantel’s recent projects have been showcasing innovation possibilities with cutting-edge technologies. So far, the company has piloted two large 5G projects in the Omani transport and logistics sector. The company is also enabling MENA’s first artificial intelligence (AI) and IoT-powered store in Oman’s Oil filling station at the company’s headquarters. Innovation Labs will buttress these efforts by generating use cases for prioritised technologies and cultivate an ecosystem for Omantel’s various initiatives.