Omantel SIM Cards and eSIM a Comprehensive Guide for Tourists

Omantel is the leading telecom operator in Oman. Getting Omantel SIM cards and eSIM allows you stay connected with high-speed 4G data, calling & SMS during your Oman trip.

This 2023 guide covers everything about Omantel mobile services for tourists – SIM cards, network coverage, data plans, call rates, and more to help you make an informed choice.

I. Quick facts about Omantel

Omantel is the leading telecom operator in Oman with the best coverage. Some key facts:

• Founded in 1996
• Full Company Name: Oman Telecommunications Company SAOG.
• Provide various services, including internet services, voice calling, data services, SMS, home internet, business solutions, and international roaming.
• Provide extensive 4G LTE coverage reaching 98% population coverage in Oman
• Fast speeds with average download speeds of 33 Mbps
• Over 2.9 million mobile customers (55% market share)
• Over 1 million fixed broadband customers
• Omantel SIM cards allow roaming across 170+ countries
• Have the most extensive network in Oman spanning 16,000+ km fiber network.

Absolutely! Omantel is worth checking out for mobile users in Oman. They offer a variety of affordable mobile plans and top-notch network services.

II. Omantel Coverage and Speed in Oman

Sure, before you grab an Omantel SIM card in Oman, it’s smart to grasp how far their network reaches and how fast it goes all around the country.

1. Omantel Coverage in Oman

According to Opensignal’s July 2023 Mobile Network Experience Report:

• Omantel offers extensive coverage across Oman, including both urban and rural areas.
• The network coverage provided by Omantel is reliable and consistent, ensuring a stable connection for users.
• Omantel’s coverage extends to major cities, towns, and remote areas within the country.
• The network infrastructure of Omantel includes strategically placed cell towers to provide a strong signal and coverage even in less populated or remote locations.

2. Omantel Speed

• Omantel provides competitive download and upload speeds across all generations of mobile network technology.
• In terms of overall experience, Vodafone has the fastest download and upload speeds in Oman.
• Omantel excels in 5G download speed, providing average speeds of 203.9Mbps.
• However, Ooredoo outperforms Omantel in 5G upload speed with a score of 21.1Mbps.
• Omantel users experience excellent video streaming over 5G connections, winning the 5G Video Experience award.

III. Omantel connectivity options for travelers

As a traveler to Oman, you can connect using:

For short vacations, getting a prepaid tourist SIM on arrival is most convenient. But if you have an eSIM compatible phone, activating an Omantel eSIM before travel allows more flexibility to change data packs.

For longer trips, eSIM definitely makes managing your Omantel connection easier without physical SIM swaps.

IV. Best Omantel SIM cards for tourists & cost

Omantel tourist prepaid SIM cards come with free data & calling units. You can also activate eSIM with data-only plans.

So in summary, tourist SIM cards work best for short vacations while eSIMs offer more flexibility for longer stays. Pick what suits your trip!

V. Does Omantel Oman support eSIM?

Excitingly, Omantel launched eSIM support in 2022 gradually rolling it out for prepaid plans as well.

As of now, Omantel eSIM in Oman can be categorized as:

Omantel allows activating prepaid visitor eSIM before your trip through their app. Benefits include:

• Skip physical SIM purchase after arrival
• Flexibility to change data packs during trip
• Easy activation and account management via app

While prepaid eSIM is already here, Omantel postpaid eSIM rollout is still ongoing. Priority is to enable:

• Existing postpaid subscribers first
• Followed by new postpaid activations

So visitors can use prepaid eSIM today, while postpaid customer shift will follow.

Omantel eSIM works on devices supporting standard eSIM profiles like: Latest iPhones (XS and above), many new Android phones. Check detailed in eSIM compatibility list.

To sum up, Omantel takes a progressive view on eSIM adoption. Enabling this for tourists is a great start, while postpaid expansion is work in progress.

VI. Where can you buy Omantel SIM cards and eSIM?

Here are some ways to get connected on Omantel during your Oman trip:

1. Prepaid tourist SIM card

Physical SIM cards can be purchased at:

• Muscat & Salalah international airports
• Omantel service centers across Oman
• Many malls & supermarkets in city centers

Availability is widespread at tourist locations. Some hotels may also retail SIM cards – check at reception.

2. Omantel eSIM

To activate Omantel prepaid visitor eSIM:

• Download Omantel top-up app available on iOS/Android app stores
• Register using your passport as a visitor
• Activate eSIM and data pack following app prompts

It takes just 5-10 minutes end-to-end before you land in Oman! No need to visit any physical store or outlet like for regular SIM cards.

VII. How to activate Omantel SIM Cards and eSIM

Activating your Omantel prepaid connection is fairly quick and easy:

1. Activating physical tourist SIM

• Insert SIM in your unlocked phone
• It auto detects and launches activation
• Enter passport number when prompted
• Follow steps to select data pack

Similarly, you can recharge or add top-ups later using SIM tools when needed.

2. Activating Omantel visitor eSIM

• Download Omantel prepaid app on your phone
• Enter passport details to register as a tourist
• Activate eSIM by selecting data pack to add
• Connect to network and you are online!

Please check your detailed instructions below:

• Activate eSIM on iPhone
• Activate eSIM on Samsung phones
• Activate eSIM on Google Pixel Phones

App allows easy activation, switching data packs and top-up recharges conveniently during your trip duration. Both options enable seamless connectivity on Omantel network across Oman.

VIII. Oman Omantel Call & SMS rates

Omantel prepaid packs include an initial bundle of local/national minutes and SMS units. Beyond that, here is what you pay:

Hope this gives an idea of Omantel prepaid rates. Even after bundled units expire, rates are reasonable for minimal use. Adding top-up or bigger data packs reduces effective rates further.

IX. Useful USSD codes for Omantel SIM Cards and eSIM

USSD codes let you directly check account balance or activate services via phone dialer itself, without needing data or an app.

Here are handy Omantel USSD codes all tourists must know:

• *123# – Check your prepaid account balance
• *141# – Check your postpaid account balance
• *111# – Check your data balance
• *124# – Check your remaining SMS balance
• 1411# – Activate a data package
• 1412# – Activate an international roaming package
• 1413# – Activate a voice package
• 1414# – Activate an SMS package
• 1231# – Recharge your prepaid account
• *727# – Activate or deactivate a missed call notification
• *100# – Access Omantel customer care services
• 1232# – Manage your call forwarding settings
• 1233# – Manage your call waiting settings
• 1234# – Manage your call barring settings
• 1235# – Activate or deactivate voicemail

USSD is especially useful if internet stops working, or app is glitchy. Memorize codes as backup to always see your account status.

X. How to top-up Omantel SIM Cards and eSIM

As packs have fixed validity, you need to recharge balance to extend service use.

Here are different ways to top-up your Omantel prepaid account:

Using Top-up app

• Recharge via Omantel top-up app using registered payment method
• Get instant talk time/ data credit in account
• Quick & easy if you have data connectivity

Via website

• Visit Omantel online recharge section on website
• Enter prepaid phone number and payment details
• Account topped up real-time

Over-the-counter

• Buy Omantel scratch-card or e-voucher from nearest shop
• Dial 122 recharge PIN# to redeem
• Amount credited immediately

For visitors, it makes sense to recharge small amounts as needed during your stay rather than big balances upfront.

XI. Alternatives to Oman Omantel

While Omantel has the widest reach, there are a couple other mobile operators in Oman as well:

Ooredoo Oman

• Second largest provider after Omantel
• Modern LTE network reaches 90% population
• Affordable prepaid tourist SIM, top-ups & data packs
• Worth considering for data-only use

Vodafone Oman 

• Provide 4G and 5G network coverage in Oman, delivering high-speed internet access.
• Offer international roaming services for travelers, allowing them to use their devices abroad.
• Have various prepaid and postpaid plans tailored to different needs

So Omantel does remain the top choice for best connectivity during your Oman visit thanks to the extensive high-speed network.

Ooredoo prepaid is reasonable alternative for data connectivity in cities if Omantel signal is weak at any specific area.

XII. FAQs about Omantel in Oman

Here are some additional questions visitors may have:

XIII. Final words

I hope this detailed guide gives you all information needed to get connected conveniently on Omantel network in Oman.

With the Omantel SIM cards and eSIM, you no longer need to worry about mobile connectivity for maps, messaging or social media during your amazing Oman trip!

Have a wonderful hassle-free vacation!