Zain Omantel International

What Zain Omantel International does

Zain Omantel International (ZOI) is a 50/50 joint venture between Zain Group and Omantel, launched in May 2023 and headquartered in Muscat, Oman, with operational offices in Dubai and Baghdad. The company consolidates the international wholesale businesses of both parents to serve as the Middle East's dedicated wholesale telecommunications arm, managing international voice, data, capacity, and roaming requirements for Zain and Omantel operating companies across eight countries (Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Sudan, South Sudan, Oman, and Bahrain) serving 50+ million customers.

ZOI operates a wholesale infrastructure combining ownership in 20+ international submarine cable systems (including Blue-Raman, Africa-1, AAE-2, Jeddah-to-Marseille, and Oman Australia Cable), five unique landing stations, 120+ global cities, 16 international internet exchange points, dual international Network Operations Centers, and terrestrial fiber corridors. The product portfolio spans five categories: Infrastructure (subsea, terrestrial, data centers, co-location), Unmatched Connectivity (capacity, IPLC, MPLS VPN, Ethernet), Superior Internet Services (IP Transit, Content Connect, Direct Internet Access), Global Carrier Solutions (voice, messaging, bilateral traffic, ITFS), and Worldwide Roaming (5G roaming on 75+ networks, MNP lookup, messaging hub, RAIO). It achieved the highest ASN ranking in the Middle East, placing in the global top 100 networks among 70,000+.

The business model is multi-year, quote-based B2B wholesale: transaction fees for voice and messaging, usage-based pricing for IP/data, and recurring subscriptions for capacity and roaming. Go-to-market is direct enterprise sales supplemented by consortium participation (AAE-2) and bilateral carrier agreements (du, Zong, CMI). Customers include Zain/Omantel operating companies, international carriers (100+ direct interconnects, 40+ Tier 1 aggregators), hyperscalers (Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute), and government/enterprise clients. Reported 2025 revenue was $401 million, doubling year-over-year with 172% growth cited for 2024.

Name

Zain Omantel International

Legal name

Zain Omantel International

Website

https://zainomantel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Zain Omantel International is a 50/50 joint venture between Zain Group and Omantel, providing international wholesale telecommunications — voice, data, capacity, and roaming — to carriers, hyperscalers, and enterprises across the Middle East via 20+ subsea cables and 120+ global cities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wholesale Telecommunications

NAICS

Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (517112), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171), All Other Telecommunications (517810)

SIC

Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813), Radiotelephone Communications (4812), Communications Services, Nec (4899)

akta.pro primary industry

Mobile Roaming & Interconnect Services (roaming hubs, IREG/TADIG, clearing) (HDAIAEAE)

Keywords

• Wholesale telecommunications
• International voice services
• Submarine cable systems
• International roaming services
• IP transit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Muscat

HQ country

Oman

HQ region

Middle East

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. International Voice and Messaging Services: ZOI provides global voice and messaging services across all continents, including bilateral traffic interconnecting with 100+ operators directly and 40+ Tier 1 carriers/aggregators, transit services covering A-Z destinations, and ITFS hub solutions.
2. Data and IP Services: IP Transit services providing highest-grade internet transit through globally deployed PoPs, Content Connect for low-latency connectivity to content networks, and Direct Internet Access (DIA) for dedicated domestic and global connectivity.
3. Capacity Services: Dedicated point-to-point private circuits across worldwide network in 50+ countries, ultra-low latency connectivity to Europe, Asia, Africa and across the Middle East, MPLS VPN services, and IPLC solutions for global connectivity.
4. International Roaming Services: Extensive international roaming network covering 700+ operators spanning 200+ countries, MNP lookup services, messaging hub and firewall services, and Reference Access and Interconnection Offer (RAIO) for regulated domestic services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Zain Omantel International (ZOI) provides international wholesale telecommunications services including international voice and messaging, IP transit, dedicated capacity (IPLC/Ethernet/MPLS VPN), and international roaming. The company operates an integrated network of submarine cable systems, terrestrial fiber, and data center facilities spanning 120+ global cities, delivering ultra-low-latency connectivity to telecom operators, international carriers, hyperscalers, content providers, and enterprises.

Product overview

Zain Omantel International (ZOI) is a joint venture between Zain Group and Omantel launched in May 2023, serving as the Middle East's premier international wholesale powerhouse. The company provides a comprehensive portfolio of telecommunications services organized around five core product areas: Infrastructure (submarine/terrestrial cables, data centers, co-location), Unmatched Connectivity (subsea capacity, ultra-low latency routing, dedicated capacity, Ethernet, MPLS VPN, IPLC), Superior Internet Services (IP Transit, Content Connect, Direct Internet Access), Global Carrier Solutions (voice/messaging, bilateral traffic, transit, ITFS, global coverage), and Worldwide Roaming (5G roaming, MNP lookup, messaging hub, RAIO interconnection). ZOI targets regional operators, international carriers, hyperscalers, content providers, cloud providers, and enterprises requiring international connectivity. The company manages all international wholesale requirements across eight countries, serving over 50 million customers through investments in 20+ subsea cable systems, five landing stations, 120+ cities, and 16 global internet exchanges.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Infrastructure

Quantifiable outcome

• 172% YoY revenue growth in 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Zong (China Mobile Pakistan)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026ZOI partnered with Zong, a subsidiary of China Mobile Pakistan, to expand voice interconnect and roaming services between the Middle East and Pakistan. The partnership consolidates roaming under a single framework to simplify operations across one of the region's highest volume routes.
• Microsoft AzurecoreTechnology or Integration · 13 October 2025ZOI, in collaboration with ZainTECH and Zain Kuwait, launched Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute on Azure Marketplace, enabling Kuwait-based government and enterprise customers to access secure, private cloud connectivity with low-latency access to Microsoft data centers in UAE and Europe.
• PCCW GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2025ZOI joined PCCW Global, Sparkle, and Telecom Egypt in a consortium to construct the AAE-2 subsea cable system linking Asia, Africa, and Europe. The cable will connect Hong Kong and Singapore to Italy through Thailand, the Arabian Peninsula, and Egypt, delivering unprecedented capacity and reliable connectivity.
• SparklecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2025ZOI partnered with Sparkle (TIM Group's Global Operator) as part of the AAE-2 consortium to develop next-generation subsea digital connectivity between Asia, Africa, and Europe with strategic terrestrial corridors.
• Telecom EgyptcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2025ZOI partnered with Telecom Egypt as part of the AAE-2 subsea cable consortium, leveraging Telecom Egypt's infrastructure and WeConnect ecosystem for enhanced connectivity.
• Horizon Scope TelecomcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2025ZOI partnered with Iraq's Horizon Scope Telecom to create a digital telecommunications corridor stretching from the Middle East to Europe through Iraq. The terrestrial fiber corridor provides alternative route connectivity via Turkey to Frankfurt, Germany.
• Iraqi Telecommunications and Information Company (ITPC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2025ZOI partnered with ITPC, a government-owned company under the Iraqi Ministry of Communications, to establish the Middle East to Europe connectivity corridor through Iraq with higher levels of capacity, security, and efficiency.
• du (Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2024ZOI formed a strategic wholesale agreement with du to provide exceptional voice, messaging, and data roaming services powered by advanced 5G technology. The partnership covers nine countries including UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Sudan, and South Sudan.
• One ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2024ZOI joined One Consortium, a not-for-profit organization working to tackle illegal and unwanted international voice calls and messages. ZOI participates as a voting member in working groups covering fraud identification, regulatory policy, messaging fraud, and CLI spoofing.
• China Mobile International Limited (CMI)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024ZOI partnered with CMI to accelerate the adoption and development of M2M, IoT (Internet of Things), and IoV (Internet of Vehicles) technologies across the Middle East, combining CMI's technical capabilities with ZOI's global network.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PCCW Global: PCCW Global is the international operating division of HKT, providing global connectivity, data center, and managed services to carriers and enterprises. ZOI and PCCW Global are consortium partners in the AAE-2 subsea cable and compete directly in international wholesale voice, capacity, and IP transit across MENA-Asia-Europe corridors.
• Telstra International: Telstra International provides wholesale carrier services, subsea cable capacity, and enterprise connectivity across Asia-Pacific and globally. It competes with ZOI in international capacity, IP transit, and managed network services.
• China Mobile International (CMI): CMI is the international arm of China Mobile, providing global voice, data, mobile, and IoT services. ZOI has a formal M2M/IoT/IoV partnership with CMI, but the two also compete in Middle East-Asia carrier services and IPX/roaming.
• Tata Communications: Tata Communications operates one of the world's largest subsea cable networks and provides global voice, data, and managed services to carriers and enterprises. It is a direct competitor in international wholesale and subsea capacity services.
• BICS (Proximus Global): BICS is a major international wholesale carrier providing voice, data, roaming, and IoT services globally. It competes with ZOI in international voice transit, IPX/GRX signalling, and roaming hub services across the Middle East and globally.
• Sparkle (TIM Group): Sparkle is TIM Group's international wholesale operator, operating one of the largest global IP backbones and subsea cable networks. It is a direct competitor in international voice, data, and roaming services and an AAE-2 consortium partner with ZOI.
• Telecom Egypt: Telecom Egypt is the incumbent Egyptian carrier and a major subsea cable hub operator connecting Asia and Europe through Egypt. It is a direct AAE-2 consortium partner with ZOI and a competitor in regional subsea and capacity services.

Regional players

• du (Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company): du is the UAE's second mobile operator and a ZOI wholesale partner for voice, roaming, and data services. It is also a regional competitor in the UAE and adjacent markets for carrier services and enterprise connectivity.

Emerging players

• RETN: RETN is an emerging international network operator providing IP transit, capacity, and wholesale services across Eurasia with a growing presence in the Middle East. It competes with ZOI in IP transit and low-latency connectivity for hyperscalers and carriers.

Broad incumbents

• Etisalat (e& Carrier & Wholesale): e& (formerly Etisalat Group) is a regional telecom incumbent with significant wholesale operations across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It is a broader incumbent that competes with ZOI in regional wholesale capacity and carrier services from the UAE.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zain-omantel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zain Omantel International