Doha, November 18 (QNA) – Chief Commercial Officer at Ooredoo HE Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad bin Nasser Al-Thani said that the company have completed its preparations and is ready to provide a high-quality, unique telecom service during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, set to be the World’s first 5G World Cup.
His Excellency told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that Ooredoo was committed long ago to meet the high demand expected during the World Cup, adding that the company signed a number of agreements with mega tech companies, the latest of which was with Huawei, to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of the network so that customers can enjoy the best experience during the World Cup.
He added that, in accordance with the agreement, more than 100 experts will be present in the main locations in Qatar, in addition to many more available remotely, all to ensure the network functions well during the competition. Huawei will rely on its world-class experience in guaranteeing the functioning of the network during major sporting competitions, in addition to operations that take place with the aid of Augmented Reality.
His Excellency revealed that the company installed state-of-the art network equipment at the competition’s stadiums, the metro, and many other main locations to ensure it runs well. He added that there will be regular tests to ensure fans can remain connected at all times and enjoy easy access to telecom services. He added that Ooredoo created a team of more than 300 experts focused on dealing with FIFA requirements in terms of ensuring service quality. The company also equipped a state-of-the-art operations center along many service centers that will work around the clock, he said.
He noted that the company attracted technical experts with experience in managing the service during major sporting events like previous World Cups and the Super Bowl. Ooredoo also requested the enhancement of support frameworks from other service providers through agreements that provide for enhanced services and hotlines with research and development teams, as well as intensified testing to ensure a world-class experience. Coordination with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) also took place to facilitate FIFA operations.
The Ooredoo Chief Commercial Officer highlighted that history will say that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was the first-ever 5G World Cup, an achievement Ooredoo is proud to be a part of. He also pointed out that with the eight World Cup stadiums, the World Cup in Qatar will be the first FIFA World Cup tournament that sees all its stadiums equipped with download speeds exceeding 1 gigabit per second via 5G network, provided by Ooredoo. He added that the company also upgraded its 5G network to provide the broadest coverage possible, whether in stadiums, airports, railways, fan zones, among other facilities. He said that the company also provided multi bandwidth for social media applications like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, WhatsApp, and others, in addition to providing customers with the ability to make international calls among many other features.
He said that the selection of Ooredoo as a main supporter of the largest and most important sporting event in the world comes within the framework of strengthening close cooperation between the company and FIFA. He noted that Ooredoo a national supporter of the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar in the 2019 and 2020 editions, highlighting the close cooperation and coordination at the highest level between the company, the SC, and FIFA to ensure all parties can help ensure the success of the competition.
Ooredoo was also chosen to be the Official Global Connectivity Services Provider for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, he added. He also said that, as a result, Ooredoo will provide high-quality services to all bodies that obtained media rights in Qatar to cover the event, which includes 50 broadcasters from all around the world.
Chief Commercial Officer at Ooredoo HE Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad bin Nasser Al-Thani told QNA that choosing Ooredoo as a Global Connectivity Services Provider reflect FIFA and the SC’s trust in Ooredoo and its reputation in providing world-class services, something that was demonstrated time and again in other major sporting events like World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, FIFA Arab Cup 2021, and the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix.
He added that Ooredoo will also supply connectivity for more than 350 official FIFA event buses during the tournament. The company will make available its managed Wi-Fi along with mobile broadband to ensure seamless, reliable internet access, so players, FIFA officials and media representatives can stay connected even while travelling to and from tournament venues.
His Excellency stressed that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is a much-anticipated event by the whole world that will see billions of people tune-in. He added that such attention requires good preparation to ensure the success of the competition. He added that this was why Ooredoo prepared well for the competition.
He said that Qatar is currently witnessing a major development in the telecommunications sector, which the World Cup contributed to accelerating, and it is expected that the State of Qatar will strengthen its position at the forefront of the world in the field of communications as a result of this experience. He stressed that the tournament will leave an important legacy, as Ooredoo has an advanced infrastructure to provide the best services without interruption during the tournament. He added that the equipment will enrich the communications sector for years to come and provide an opportunity for customers in Qatar to benefit from future solutions and technologies at the present time.
He added that Ooredoo has repeatedly confirmed that it will provide the fans with an unprecedented experience during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and therefore the company is currently presenting one of the largest offers in history ever offered by any telecommunications company during a major global event. He said that the company began to offer Haya SIM for mobile phones on Nov. 1 that provides customers with free 2022 call minutes, 2022 text messages, and 2022 megabytes of data.
He pointed out that, to make it easier for visitors to obtain a Haya SIM, Ooredoo installed SIM card issuance devices in a large number of important locations, including airports, ports and land borders. These devices are equipped with the latest artificial intelligence technologies, allowing visitors to prove their identities using selfie pictures and activate their SIM card in just 60 seconds. The company also introduced a special offer for its customers inside Qatar, so that they can enjoy the festive atmosphere with the free balances.
He said that Ooredoo will be ever-present in all fan zones, to ensure the availability of an advanced and strong communication service so that fans can share their experience live with their followers. He highlighted that the company is keen on an integrated digital experience for its customers, which is one of its top priorities and in a core strategy for the company.
He also said that the Ooredoo app will be a complete tool allowing customers to manage their accounts quickly and securely. (QNA)