Ericsson signs 5G network deal with Ooredoo Qatar

Ooredoo Qatar has selected Ericsson to supply its Ericsson Radio System, 5G New Radio solutions, and 10 Gbps microwave solutions to modernize its existing mobile networks across Qatar.
Ooredoo is preparing about 1,200 network base stations to be 5G-ready. Ooredoo 5G network aims to offer download speeds of up to 100 times faster than 4G networks, Rafiah Ibrahim, head of Market Area Middle East and Africa, Ericsson, said.

The statement issued at the Mobile World Congress (MWC 2019) from Ericsson indicates that Ooredoo Kuwait is yet to select its 5G technology partners for other countries in the Middle East.

Ooredoo Kuwait has presence in Kuwait (with 2.3 million subscribers with KWD 240.9 million revenue), Tunisia (9.1 million customers with KWD 126.6 million revenue), Algeria (13.9 million subscribers with KWD 228.9 million revenue), Palestine (1.3 million subscribers with KWD 30.3 million revenue) and  Maldives (440K customers with KWD 38.2 million revenue) in 2018.

Sheikh Saud Bin Nasser Al Thani, group CEO of Ooredoo, said: “Our partnership with Ericsson will provide the 5G foundation for our Ooredoo Supernet to enable Qatar’s smart cities, digitally competitive Internet of Things industries, and immersive mega-events and virtual reality experiences.”

Ooredoo launched the world’s first commercial 5G network in Qatar, and trialled the first international 5G call in the Arab World. Ooredoo has more than 100 live 5G sites in Qatar.

Ooredoo, which generated revenues of $8.2 billion in 2018, has done 5G tests and trials in Indonesia, Kuwait and Maldives, and has set up a 5G Technology Centre Myanmar.

Baburajan K