Mobile service in Oman temporarily halts the ability to transfer phone numbers due to TRA's decision on mobile number portability.
Oman's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) Temporarily Suspends Mobile Number Portability for System Upgrade
In a move aimed at enhancing the quality of services and fostering a more competitive market for consumers, Oman's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has temporarily suspended its mobile number portability service. This suspension is part of a strategic move to upgrade the telecommunications infrastructure in the Sultanate of Oman.
The suspension, which took effect on Monday, August 13, 2025, is a key component of the TRA's broader vision for the telecommunications sector. The goal is to transition to a new Central Number Portability System (MNP), scheduled to take effect on August 18, 2025.
This upgrade aims to improve service quality and enable smoother and more efficient number portability processes. The benefits expected from this new system include:
- Enhanced network service quality for consumers.
- Seamless migration to the upgraded porting system.
- Continued retention of customers’ existing mobile numbers during network changes.
Customers who had applied for number portability prior to the suspension were urged to complete their procedures before the transition.
The new Central Number Portability System is a key component of the TRA's broader vision to enhance services, accelerate digital transformation, and foster competition. The TRA's decision suggests a commitment to improving the digital landscape in Oman, although it is not mentioned to have a direct impact on this commitment.
The new system is designed to allow for easier number transfers and enable customers to benefit from better network services as the telecom sector evolves. However, the temporary halt may cause minor inconvenience but is expected to pave the way for a more seamless and efficient experience in the future.
It's important to note that this suspension affects all telecom providers across the Sultanate of Oman. The TRA, which is responsible for regulating the telecommunications industry in Oman, is not mentioned to have a direct impact on its responsibility for regulating the industry during this transition.
In summary, the timeline is a temporary service suspension from August 13, 2025, with the new system becoming operational on August 18, 2025, bringing improved reliability and user experience in number portability across Oman's telecom sector. Consumers are advised to plan accordingly and complete any pending number portability requests before the suspension begins.
[1] Oman Observer. (2025, August 10). TRA suspends mobile number portability service. Retrieved from https://www.omanobserver.om/business/TRA-suspends-mobile-number-portability-service/news
[2] Times of Oman. (2025, August 11). TRA suspends mobile number portability service. Retrieved from https://timesofoman.com/article/1367156/tra-suspends-mobile-number-portability-service
- The temporary suspension of mobile number portability service by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is a strategic move to upgrade infrastructure in the telecom industry, which is expected to facilitate smoother technology processes.
- The TRA's decision to transition to a new Central Number Portability System (MNP) involves the investments from the finance sector, aiming to foster competition and accelerate digital transformation in Oman.
- Following the service suspension, consumers are encouraged to complete any pending number portability requests before the transition, as the new system is expected to provide better mobile network services and enable easier number transfers in the telecom sector.
