Telecom Lead Middle East: Ooredoo CEO Nasser Marafih says the mobile operator will launch 4G / LTE in Qatar, Oman and Kuwait this year.
“We are making progress on our strategy to upgrade more than 15,000 base stations over the next three-to-five years, in order to stay ahead of rising demand for mobile broadband services. We are moving into a leadership position and aim to build on that in the months and years ahead,” said Nasser Marafih, group CEO, Ooredoo.
Ooredoo Qatar
Thousands of customers in Qatar already signed up for 4G since Ooredoo Qatar launched the service in April 2013.
Currently, 4G is available to customers using Ooredoo’s 4G-enabled My-Fi devices and USB modems in the capital of Doha and Sealine Beach Resort. The company is bringing 4G to additional devices by the end of 2013, and is rapidly rolling-out 4G to cover all inhabited areas of Qatar by the end of 2014.
Ooredoo Oman
In Oman, Nawras launched 4G in February 2013, starting in the capital of Muscat. Nawras has also been strengthening the indoor coverage of its 3G+ network by transmitting 3G on the 900 MHz and 2100 MHz spectrum. This enables customers to have a better online experience at home. As part of its Network Turbocharging program, Nawras will deliver 3G+ to nearly the whole population by the end of 2014.
Ooredoo Kuwait
Meanwhile, Wataniya Kuwait is in the middle of a 4G pilot project with the network available in 20 heavily-trafficked locations throughout the country.
Beyond the Arabian Gulf, Wataniya Maldives launched 4G network trials in April 2013. Indosat in Indonesia has received government license approval for the 900 MHz band, allowing the company to launch 4G services when the market is ready.
Throughout Ooredoo’s footprint, when customers travel outside of the 4G coverage area, they can find seamless integration with the 3G network.
Ooredoo’s 3G plans
In Tunisia, Tunisiana plans to cover nearly the entire population with 3G by the end of 2013.
Asiacell in Iraq and Nedjma in Algeria are preparing their 2G networks to be upgraded to 3G, pending government licenses.
