Ooredoo, Nokia sign agreement to drive digital transformation

Tribune News Network Doha Ooredoo Group and Nokia have signed two agreements as part of a strategic partnership intended to drive Ooredoo’s digital transfo...

Tribune News NetworkDohaOoredoo Group and Nokia have signed two agreements as part of a strategic partnership intended to drive Ooredoo’s digital transformation and enhance experiences for its customers.The partnership aims to enable exploration of future areas of collaboration, strengthen the business engagement that will support Ooredoo’s strategy and boost the experience Ooredoo can deliver to its customers.Enhancements to customer experience would include access to the latest technology solutions and innovative digital product offerings such as smart home services and the Internet of Things (IoT). In addition, customers will be able to access the latest device portfolios, the highest grades of security and reliability while using Ooredoo’s services, and superior connectivity and network speeds.The new Group Framework Supply Agreement (GFSA), representing the continuation of the long-standing contractual relationship that already exists between the two parties, will cover several categories in Networks for the supply of, among others, RAN, core and transport products and services, as well as Nokia’s latest radio technology, the AirScale radio portfolio that Ooredoo deploys in some markets already. The new GFSA will be rolled out to all of Ooredoo Group’s operating companies and will be valid for five years.The amendment to the GFSA for devices will cover customer premise equipment for 4G, 5G and fixed. The potential length of this agreement will be three years and initially include Ooredoo operating companies in Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Tunisia, Maldives and Iraq.Ooredoo Group Managing Director Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo said, “We were delighted to welcome the Nokia team to our Headquarters in Doha. Ooredoo launched the world’s first commercial 5G network in 2018 and this partnership with Nokia is allowing us to keep ahead. Nokia’s FastMile 5G devices will allow us to extend the reach of our 5G wireless network into the home environment to enable Smart Home and IoT connectivity for customers. We believe this solution will greatly enhance our customers’ internet experience across our global footprint.”Nokia President and Chief Executive Officer Pekka Lundmark said, “We are excited to continue delivering robust networks to Ooredoo’s customers. We want to accelerate the benefits of Nokia’s technology including 5G for consumers in the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia, and enable businesses to digitalise and innovate with new services. The move to 5G will drive digital transformation and innovation across industries, communities and public services, and we are proud to continue supporting Ooredoo Group on this journey.”