In a bold move reinforcing Oman’s ambitions for digital transformation and sustainability, Omantel has successfully completed a pioneering trial of 5G-powered Passive Internet of Things (IoT) technology. This latest development, announced on May 11, 2025, showcases the telecom giant’s commitment to leveraging emerging innovations for smarter, greener, and more connected communities.
Omantel, the Sultanate of Oman’s leading integrated telecommunications provider, has once again demonstrated its leadership in next-generation connectivity by successfully completing a lab trial of Passive IoT technology using its 5G infrastructure. This advancement comes just a year after the company’s notable trial of Reduced Capability (RedCap) technology, signaling a continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of 5G applications.
Passive IoT, unlike its conventional counterparts, operates without batteries, harnessing ambient energy from radio waves, electromagnetic fields, or other environmental sources to power its sensors. This characteristic makes Passive IoT a game-changer for long-term, low-maintenance digital ecosystems.
“This success reaffirms Omantel’s commitment to leading digital transformation by adopting the latest global technologies that support the development of a future-ready digital infrastructure,” said Eng. Saleem bin Ahmed Abdullatiff, Vice President of the Business Unit at Omantel. “By enabling efficient and reliable solutions such as Passive IoT, we contribute to building a technology-enabled society and strengthening the Sultanate of Oman’s position as a regional hub for innovation.”
Strategic Applications and National Impact
The significance of Passive IoT cannot be overstated. This breakthrough supports national strategies such as Oman Vision 2040, which places digital innovation, environmental sustainability, and economic diversification at its core. With zero reliance on batteries, Passive IoT devices reduce e-waste and eliminate the need for frequent maintenance vital for sectors like agriculture, logistics, smart cities, and healthcare.
In Omantel’s trial, Passive IoT tags successfully connected over 200 meters through 5G networks an impressive milestone demonstrating the robustness and practical viability of this technology.
Key industries expected to benefit include:
- Smart Logistics: Real-time, low-energy tracking of packages and goods.
- Retail: Automated inventory monitoring and anti-theft systems.
- Healthcare: Monitoring of medical assets in sterile environments.
- Agriculture: Long-term environmental monitoring for irrigation, soil health, and livestock tracking.
- Manufacturing: Industrial asset management and predictive maintenance with minimal infrastructure costs.
RedCap and Passive IoT: Complementary Forces
This trial builds on Omantel’s earlier success with RedCap (Reduced Capability) devices part of the 5G Advanced feature set. RedCap is designed for medium-performance, cost-sensitive applications like smart wearables, industrial sensors, and video surveillance. When used in tandem with Passive IoT, RedCap devices can handle more active data needs, while Passive IoT sensors gather essential telemetry, creating a full-stack smart environment.
This layered approach offers Omantel and its enterprise clients flexibility, efficiency, and scalability in deploying smart solutions tailored to specific use cases and budget constraints.
Omantel’s Role in Shaping the Region’s Digital Future
Omantel’s adoption of Passive IoT is part of a broader strategy to cement its leadership not just in telecommunications, but in the entire digital services value chain. The company is investing in AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and ICT infrastructure to deliver cutting-edge solutions across the public and private sectors.
With more than 5.2 million mobile subscribers and growing demand for IoT-based solutions, Omantel’s infrastructure upgrades are well-aligned with the country’s smart transformation goals.
10 Expert Recommendations to Secure and Maximize 5G IoT Deployments:
- Implement Zero Trust Architecture: Validate all connections to Passive and RedCap IoT devices, regardless of their simplicity.
- Encrypt All Communications: Even low-power Passive IoT sensors should transmit data securely using lightweight encryption protocols.
- Segment Networks: Keep IoT networks isolated from core business systems to prevent lateral movement in case of a breach.
- Regularly Update Firmware: Design update mechanisms for RedCap and Passive IoT gateways to mitigate vulnerabilities.
- Use AI for Threat Detection: Employ machine learning models to identify anomalies in device behavior.
- Monitor Supply Chain Risks: Ensure device authenticity and secure firmware during production and deployment.
- Design for Scalability: Build infrastructure that can manage millions of connected sensors without latency.
- Limit Data Collection: Collect only the data needed to reduce privacy concerns and minimize exposure.
- Conduct Routine Penetration Testing: Identify exploitable entry points in IoT frameworks regularly.
- Raise Awareness Among Users: Train staff and partners on best practices in IoT deployment and security.
Conclusion:
Omantel’s successful trial of 5G-powered Passive IoT technology marks a transformative step in sustainable digital infrastructure. By merging high-speed 5G connectivity with ambient energy-powered devices, the company is pioneering a future that is not only smarter but also more environmentally responsible.
This innovation further strengthens Oman’s ambitions to become a regional center for digital excellence, driven by innovation, economic diversification, and secure digital transformation. As Omantel continues to evolve its offerings, one thing is certain: the future of IoT in Oman is not only connected it’s intelligent, efficient, and green.
