Ooredoo is the brand name introduced by Qatar Telecom (Q.S.C) to replace its former name Qtel or Qatar Telecom in February 2013. Ooredoo means “I want” in Arabic, and it’s at the core of the company’s philosophy. Ooredoo is known to be the exclusive telecommunications provider in Qatar and owns one of the largest public companies in the country. The company is into mobile services, wireless services, and wire-line services.
Blaze to Brilliance
Officially established in the year 1987, Qatar Telecom (Qtel) has grown to be one of the most diverse integrated operators in the Middle East region. Committed to transparency, the Qtel Group has expanded its footprint from 1 to 17 markets in just a few years, serving more than 74 million customers today across the Middle East, North Africa, the Asian subcontinent and South East Asia. Since the first telephone exchange was installed in Qatar in 1949, they’ve been there, growing to provide mobile, broadband, digital and fibre products and services for consumers and businesses. Ooredoo has been one of the fastest growing telecommunications companies’ post 2008 till date and their ASEAN operations have driven a significant part of that growth. Their market segment varies from domestic to international telecommunication services; and from business (corporate and individuals) to residential customers. The company is state owned, which has often lead to political interventions. The company’s monopoly lifted when Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani an Oman’s Emir issued a law restructuring the ICT (Information & Communications Technology) sector’s administration and later lifted Qtel’s monopoly in 2006.
Faith Factor
The company’s vision is based on a strong belief that they can help enrich people’s lives and stimulate human growth. They enable the youth by helping them to grow and fulfil their potential. They have empowered underserved communities by delivering access to services and information. As a part of their vision of enriching people’s lives, they think of customer experience in everything they do across all their markets. They have continued to be a catalyst for entrepreneurs and small businesses which represent the cornerstone of economies across their region’s footprint. They believe in differentiating their products and services by differentiating on customer experience. They have been delivering a market leading customer experience that makes them stand out. They are constantly working towards increasing their productivity, developing their people and improving their ability to generate revenue and profit out of what they do by strengthening their foundations.
Engagement that Enthralls
Ooredo is one of the biggest corporate supporters of sport, charity and community programmes in their country. In the year 2005, Ooredoo and Cisco Systems cemented a long term partnership to build a ‘Broadband Country’ at Gigabit speed. ‘SMS Business’ and ‘SMS Corporate’ were introduced as Ooredoo’s mobile marketing and integration services in 2003. It has an Equity partnership with AT&T in NavLink and a Strategic Network Partnership with Reliance Globalcom Sign. It has also signed the Ubiquitous Cities’ (U-City) MOU with Korea Telecom.
The brand formed alliances with the Seoul National University (SNU) and the Information and Communication University (ICU), offering scholarships for higher studies to deserving Ooredoo employees at their campuses in Korea. They have partnered with Siemens Communications to sponsor a functional 3G Wireless Telecommunications Laboratory at the College of the North Atlantic at Qatar. The company successfully launched the first third generation (3G) multimedia service ‘3G Video Calling’ on its new 3G mobile phone network. They sponsored the 5th Annual Free Medical Camp for low-income expatriates.
InnovEdge
Currently the company’s focus is on providing the very best and most innovative services in the region. This includes ultrafast 4G services for mobile Internet, Mobile Money mobile banking services, the nationwide Ooredoo Fibre home broadband network and Next Generation Mozaic TV, plus an incredible range of services for enterprises and small businesses. It launched the first terrestrial trunked radio (TETRA) network in Middle East. In 2007, it came up with a unique offer called “Friends and Family” under which there was a 25 % discount on international calls. The same year it became the first Telco in the region to be ICDL accredited. In the subsequent year, Ooredoo was unveiled as the Sponsor for AFC Asian Cup and Asian Champions League. It has also found a mention in the Guinness World Records for selling the world’s most expensive mobile phone number. One of the many firsts is the launch of Qatar’s first 4G LTE network, providing the nations fastest-ever Mobile Broadband experience. They have a vision to continue to invest in new businesses as well as emerging innovations that provide growth opportunities. Ooredoo has won many awards and accolades whether it’s cracking the best telecom deal or stepping up to do good CSR activities or come up with creative audience engagement methods.
Brand Promise
The brand feels that its top priority is to help customers reach their goals and ambitions, which they fulfil by being ready to help them every hour, every day. The Qtel group has always been committed to transparency due to which they have won the minds of so many consumers. They are dedicated to supporting Qatar National Vision 2030 in making Qatar one of the best connected countries in the world. In 2005 they were awarded the Gulf Excellence Award for Performance Management.
