Middle East
Ooredoo Qatar
Qtel was formally established under Law No. 13 of 1987.[15]
In 2006, Qtel launched 3G services and announced a series of initiatives, including an equity partnership with AT&T in NavLink, international high- speed mobile data (GPRS) roaming services, and the launch of IP (Internet Protocol) and telephony services.[16]
In 2010, Qtel launched its Mobile Money service and upgraded its 3G network.[17]
In 2012, Qtel continued its rollout of the nationwide Qtel Fibre network, offering packages with download speeds of up to 300 Mbit/s and HDTV + ooredoo TV. Qtel also began the trial phase of its 4G LTE mobile broadband service.[18]
In February 2013, Qtel officially rebranded as Ooredoo.[5]
In 2015, Ooredoo Qatar announced the launch of Ooredoo SuperNet in one of the most significant network evolution in Qatar's history. The company introduced three-band carrier aggregation, building on its position of being the first and only company to combine 20+10 MHz bands on its 4G+ network.[19]
On July 7, 2017, at the beginning of the Qatar diplomatic crisis, Ooredoo changed its network name to Tamim Almajd in a show of solidarity with the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.[20]
In January 2020, Ooredoo Qatar signed a partnership with Indian entertainment and media platform Eros Now, to make Eros Now's content available to its customers in Qatar.[21]
On 30 September 2021, Ooredoo Group announced that the title of Qatar's first-ever Formula 1 race will be officially named as the Formula 1 Ooredoo Qatar Grand Prix. The announcement was made at a press conference at the Lusail International Circuit in the presence of the Deputy Group CEO and the CEO of Ooredoo Qatar Mr. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulla Al Thani & other officials.[22]
Ooredoo Oman
Ooredoo Oman was formerly known as Nawras, which was launched in Oman in 2004.[23] The company has been listed on the Muscat Securities Market since 2010.
In November 2014, Nawras officially rebranded as Ooredoo Oman.[23]
Ooredoo Oman provides landline voice services to business and residential customers. It also provides a range of prepaid and post-paid mobile phone plans, and broadband internet service, both home and mobile (3G+).
Ooredoo Oman has recently launched full-fledged home entertainment TV services - using set top boxes for home TV, and using apps for Android and iOS mobile devices. It is the first operator in the Middle East region to have launched TV services (including live TV channels and video on demand) from multiple content providers using completely Over The Top (OTT) technology - thus being able to offer its TV services not just for its own broadband and mobile customers, but to other competing operator subscribers too. Its TV content providers include StarzPlay, YuppTV, Alt Balaji, BluTV, Al Jazeera, EuroNews, FranceTV, ErosNow, FilmBox, Hopster, Spuul.[24]
The home broadband and voice service is powered by WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) technology.
Ooredoo Kuwait
Ooredoo Kuwait's operations began in December 1999 as Wataniya Telecom when it launched wireless services as the second operator in the country.
In March 2007, Ooredoo acquired Kuwait's Wataniya Telecom for US$3.8 billion.[26]
In May 2014, Wataniya Telecom officially rebranded as Ooredoo Kuwait.[27]
Asiacell (Ooredoo Iraq)
Asiacell, the first mobile telecommunications company in Iraq, was established in Sulaymaniyah in 1999.
In August 2007, Asiacell bid and won a 15-year national license, becoming the GSM telecom operator with the largest long-term network coverage in Iraq. To handle new business operations, Asiacell also simultaneously established new executive offices in Baghdad, Basra, and other major cities in Iraq.[28][29]
Ooredoo Palestine
In 2017, Ooredoo began services in the Gaza Strip.[30]
Ooredoo United Arab Emirates
On September 12, 2019, Ooredoo launched in the Emirates thanks to its joint communication and to make the UAE one of the most connected countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council region, despite the UAE's participation in the Qatar blockade. In August 2021, it changed its name to E-mobile and belongs to the VEON Group.
Ooredoo Qatar
Qtel was formally established under Law No. 13 of 1987.[15]
In 2006, Qtel launched 3G services and announced a series of initiatives, including an equity partnership with AT&T in NavLink, international high- speed mobile data (GPRS) roaming services, and the launch of IP (Internet Protocol) and telephony services.[16]
In 2010, Qtel launched its Mobile Money service and upgraded its 3G network.[17]
In 2012, Qtel continued its rollout of the nationwide Qtel Fibre network, offering packages with download speeds of up to 300 Mbit/s and HDTV + ooredoo TV. Qtel also began the trial phase of its 4G LTE mobile broadband service.[18]
In February 2013, Qtel officially rebranded as Ooredoo.[5]
Ooredoo Oman
Ooredoo Oman was formerly known as Nawras, which was launched in Oman in 2004.[23] The company has been listed on the Muscat Securities Market since 2010.
In November 2014, Nawras officially rebranded as Ooredoo Oman.[23]
Ooredoo Oman provides landline voice services to business and residential customers. It also provides a range of prepaid and post-paid mobile phone plans, and broadband internet service, both home and mobile (3G+).
Ooredoo Oman has recently launched full-fledged home entertainment TV services - using set top boxes for home TV, and using apps for Android and iOS mobile devices. It is the first operator in the Middle East region to have launched TV services (including live TV channels and video on demand) from multiple content providers using completely Over The Top (OTT) technology - thus being able to offer its TV services not just for its own broadband and mobile customers, but to other competing operator subscribers too. Its TV content providers include StarzPlay, YuppTV, Alt Balaji, BluTV, Al Jazeera, EuroNews, FranceTV, ErosNow, FilmBox, Hopster, Spuul.[24]
The home broadband and voice service is powered by WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) technology.
Ooredoo Kuwait
Ooredoo Kuwait's operations began in December 1999 as Wataniya Telecom when it launched wireless services as the second operator in the country.
In March 2007, Ooredoo acquired Kuwait's Wataniya Telecom for US$3.8 billion.[26]
In May 2014, Wataniya Telecom officially rebranded as Ooredoo Kuwait.[27]
Asiacell (Ooredoo Iraq)
Asiacell, the first mobile telecommunications company in Iraq, was established in Sulaymaniyah in 1999.
In August 2007, Asiacell bid and won a 15-year national license, becoming the GSM telecom operator with the largest long-term network coverage in Iraq. To handle new business operations, Asiacell also simultaneously established new executive offices in Baghdad, Basra, and other major cities in Iraq.[28][29]
Ooredoo Palestine
In 2017, Ooredoo began services in the Gaza Strip.[30]
Ooredoo United Arab Emirates
On September 12, 2019, Ooredoo launched in the Emirates thanks to its joint communication and to make the UAE one of the most connected countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council region, despite the UAE's participation in the Qatar blockade. In August 2021, it changed its name to E-mobile and belongs to the VEON Group.
North Africa
Ooredoo Algeria
Ooredoo Algeria's operations began in 2004 as Nedjma, positioned as the first multimedia operator in Algeria.
In November 2013, Nedjma officially rebranded as Ooredoo Algeria.[31]
Ooredoo Algeria introduced the first EDGE network in the country in 2004 and launched 3G services in Algeria in December 2013.[32]
Ooredoo Tunisia
Ooredoo Tunisia was founded in May 2002 as Tunisiana and began commercial operations in December the same year.
In April 2014, Tunisiana officially rebranded as Ooredoo Tunisia.[33]
Ooredoo Algeria
Ooredoo Algeria's operations began in 2004 as Nedjma, positioned as the first multimedia operator in Algeria.
In November 2013, Nedjma officially rebranded as Ooredoo Algeria.[31]
Ooredoo Algeria introduced the first EDGE network in the country in 2004 and launched 3G services in Algeria in December 2013.[32]
Ooredoo Tunisia
Ooredoo Tunisia was founded in May 2002 as Tunisiana and began commercial operations in December the same year.
In April 2014, Tunisiana officially rebranded as Ooredoo Tunisia.[33]
South Asia
Ooredoo Maldives
Ooredoo Maldives' operations began in February 2005 as Wataniya Maldives, after it was selected during a competitive bidding process with three other companies.
In December 2013, Wataniya Telecom officially rebranded as Ooredoo Maldives.[34]
Ooredoo Maldives
Ooredoo Maldives' operations began in February 2005 as Wataniya Maldives, after it was selected during a competitive bidding process with three other companies.
In December 2013, Wataniya Telecom officially rebranded as Ooredoo Maldives.[34]
Southeast Asia
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison
Indosat was founded in 1967 and began as a commercial international telecommunications service provider (IDD) in September 1969.[35] It is partially owned by the Indonesian government and was owned by American conglomerate company ITT until 1980.
In November 2015, Indosat officially rebranded as Indosat Ooredoo.[36] Indosat Ooredoo is the second largest mobile network operator in Indonesia, with a subscriber strength of 58.0 million users.[37]
In September 2021, Indosat announced its merger with Hutchison Asia Telecom Group/Garibaldi Thohir's joint venture PT Hutchison 3 Indonesia (which operates 3-branded networks in Indonesia) to form Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison and closed their merger on 4 January 2022.
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison
Indosat was founded in 1967 and began as a commercial international telecommunications service provider (IDD) in September 1969.[35] It is partially owned by the Indonesian government and was owned by American conglomerate company ITT until 1980.
In November 2015, Indosat officially rebranded as Indosat Ooredoo.[36] Indosat Ooredoo is the second largest mobile network operator in Indonesia, with a subscriber strength of 58.0 million users.[37]
In September 2021, Indosat announced its merger with Hutchison Asia Telecom Group/Garibaldi Thohir's joint venture PT Hutchison 3 Indonesia (which operates 3-branded networks in Indonesia) to form Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison and closed their merger on 4 January 2022.
Ooredoo Myanmar
In June 2013, Ooredoo was chosen as one of the two successful applicants among 90 bidders to be awarded a license to operate in Myanmar, considered one of Asia's last remaining greenfield telecom markets.
Formal licenses were granted in January 2014, and Ooredoo pledged an investment of $15 billion to develop Myanmar's telecoms sector, with plans to cover 75 percent of the population in five years.[38]
As of 2022, amid junta problems, Ooredoo faced financial problems in Myanmar. Later in September 2022, Ooredoo Group sold its Myanmar telecom business to Nine Communications Pte. Ltd. for an enterprise value of USD 576 million to focus on strategic markets.[39] In May 2024, Ooredoo finalized the sale of its Myanmar operations.[40]
