30/03/2015 06:39 AST
Ooredoo yesterday said its high speed 4G+ network will be available across Qatar by the end of this year and that its return on investments from overseas operations is set to be “substantial”.
“By the end of this year, whole of Qatar will be 4G+,” Ooredoo chief operating officer Waleed al-Sayed told the media after the annual general assembly (AGM) where shareholders approved 40% cash dividend.
With 4G+, at present available in greater Doha, customers are able to reach up to 225 Mbps, nearly double the average 4G speed in areas of Doha. The current available Ooredoo 4G speed is up to 150 Mbps.
Using a 4G+ enabled device that supports Ooredoo Qatar’s 4G frequencies, customers will be able to access the superfast 4G+ network for free, taking advantage of the extra speeds and smooth browsing experience to stay in touch, check e-mails, video call and more.
Areas with access to 4G+ speeds are the Corniche, West Bay lagoon, Katara, Souq Waqif, Al Rayyan, Shahaniya and Sealine.
Ooredoo’s focus on data delivered positive returns in 2014, with data revenue now representing 25% of total group revenue, which positions the company well for future growth.
On 5G, he said in the GSMA world, Ooredoo has already been in discussion with 5G manufacturers but the technology itself is now under standardisation and “there is no clue regarding when standardisation is going to finish”.
Ooredoo also said it has intention to enter into research and development in 5G so as to be prepared for its launch whenever it is ready and the estimation time is between 2018 and 2020, according to al-Sayed.
Asked about its expansion plans, he said Ooredoo has plans to grow in new markets like Myanmar where it is building big customer base.
Ooredoo had commercially launched services in Myanmar in the summer of 2014, adding a new market to its global portfolio and offering 3G services to a population that had previously had very limited access to the Internet.
He said Ooredoo has been investing and will continue to do so in its overseas operations from which “we believe that return on investments is going to be significant in the future.”
Ooredoo has taken a leadership role in data services across its footprint, because the company believes that all its customers will benefit from the new opportunities of the digital era, according to Sheikh Abdullah.
In the home market, Ooredoo’s revenue grew 8% year-on-year to QR7.15bn in 2015, manly driven by mobile services, broadband, mega-projects and device sales.
The AGM also elected new board members with Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohamed bin Saud al-Thani continuing to be chairman; while other members are Ali Shareef al-Emadi, Mohamed bin Issa al-Mohannadi, Omer Abdulaziz al-Hamed al-Marwani, Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo, General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority, Nasser Rashid al Humaidi, Ibrahim Abdulla al-Mahmoud, Khalifa Matar al-Mheiri and Mohamed Ahmed al-Qamzi.
In an extraordinary meeting that followed the AGM, the assembly approved an amendment of Article 25 of the company’s articles of association.
Gulf Times
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