Ooredoo says it’s OK with Huawei

The Ooredoo Group is the latest telco to dismiss security concerns and announce Huawei as a supplier for its 5G deployments.

For operations in Kuwait, Oman, Indonesia, Tunisia and Maldives, Ooredoo will make use of Huawei’s 5G Single RAN radio solution with advanced Massive MIMO technology, as well as its 5G Cloud Core technologies. Having already launched 5G in Kuwait, Ooredoo plans to bring the next generation of connectivity services to the rest of its footprint through 2020.

“With Huawei’s leading 5G network solution, we will be able to improve our network’s operation efficiency and provide limitless opportunities to our customers,” said Waleed Al Sayed, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer and CEO of Ooredoo Qatar

“Users will enjoy a more streamlined and personalised experience and businesses will be empowered to develop the smart, connected cities of the future.”

While 5G is still in the very early days for Ooredoo, the telco said it applied the technology at the Education City Stadium in Doha, Qatar, during the FIFA World Club Cup final in December. As part of the demonstration, Ooredoo delivered a with a Virtual Stadium at shopping mall in Qatar during the build-up and also showcased a connected ambulance.

Ooredoo has christened itself as the champion of 5G across the region, and while some might disagree, it has pointed to the quarterly financials as a justification. Aside from improved 4G take-up in various regional businesses, the management team pointed towards the launch of 5G in both Qatar and Kuwait as one reason for improved financials across the period. Full year revenues for 2019 were reported at c.£6.3 billion, while revenues for the final quarter surged 8% year-on-year to c.£1.6 billion.