Ooredoo chosen ‘Operator of the Year’ at TMT awards

The success of the company’s rebranding and broadband innovation last year has won Ooredoo the “Operator of the Year” honour at the TMT Finance Mena Awards held in Dubai on May 7.

Ooredoo group chief executive officer Dr Nasser Marafih said the award demonstrates the success of the company’s enhancement of customer experience “across our footprint.”

Ooredoo previously won the TMT Finance 2013 Middle East Awards for “Best Mobile Operator,” he noted.

Marafih assured that the company will continue to roll out the Ooredoo brand in 2014 and develop data capabilities as part of the company’s long-term vision.

According to Marafih, judges of the awards praised Ooredoo for its effective rollout of the Ooredoo brand globally and across Qatar, Tunisia, Algeria, and the Maldives in 2013.

Ooredoo’s strong success on its broadband strategy across its footprint in the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia were also recognised by the judges, who also lauded the success of Ooredoo’s $ 1.25bn sukuk offering.

Since 2009, the TMT Finance Awards has recognised achievements of top performing telecoms mergers and acquisitions, debt, leadership, and innovation.

The judges also praised Ooredoo’s focus on enhancing data services and its success in making data access the single largest contributor to revenue growth in 2013.

In 2013, Ooredoo became the first company to offer 4G networks in Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Maldives. Ooredoo also deployed Algeria’s widest 3G network and is preparing to launch nationwide 3G coverage in its newest market, Myanmar.

Broadband investment has in turn supported mobile innovation with Ooredoo, offering a wide range of services that support human growth.

Ooredoo has passed 1mn total Mobile Money customers and launched the first Arab Mobile App Challenge for young ICT entrepreneurs as well as supported mobile services in education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment over the last 12 months.

Complementing mobile broadband, the company has provided fibre optic connections to more than 100,000 homes in Qatar and launched the business fibre in Qatar, Indonesia, Oman, and Tunisia.

As a result of its ongoing efforts, Ooredoo increased its total consolidated customers from 92.9mn in 2012 to 95mn as of December 2013 with strong growth in Qatar, Algeria, Indonesia, Iraq, and Oman.