Ooredoo’s 4G network initially only in Doha

By Pratap John/Chief Business ReporterOoredoo’s ultrafast 4G long term evolution (LTE) network will be initially available only in Doha, where the service provider has already installed some 100 antennas prior to commercially launching the mobile broadband service in April.Ooredoo’s 4G LTE network would cover popular destinations such as The Pearl-Qatar, Katara, West Bay, Corniche and the Sealine Beach Resort.The network will be rolled out to the rest of the country in phases, Ooredoo said yesterday.To avail of the 4G LTE service, customers will need to make sure they have mobile phones that are compatible with the network, which run on the 800 MHz and 2,600 MHz bandwidth frequencies. Ooredoo said it was in talks with vendors to ensure there will be adequate stocks of affordable 4G LTE-enabled mobile devices in the country by April. Ooredoo Qatar CEO Sheikh Saud bin Nasser al-Thani yesterday said the company would be the first in Qatar to offer the 4G LTE broadband network.LTE is a wireless broadband technology that supports roaming Internet access via mobile phones and devices and which seamlessly interworks with 2G and 3G networks.The 4G LTE network provides speeds that are three-to-six times as fast as the current 3G network, enabling customers to instantaneously access high-bandwidth content. Customers are able to watch high-definition video, transfer large files through 4G USB modems and MiFi devices, view multimedia-rich websites and use interactive mobile apps.Ooredoo said it was launching the 4G LTE network in response to strong customer demand, demonstrating the increased emphasis on data in modern communications and the country’s desire for cutting-edge technology. The company said more details on pricing and network availability would be made during the network launch next month.For the past several months, hundreds of Ooredoo customers have been participating in one of the region’s largest tests of the 4G LTE network. Thanks to customer feedback, Ooredoo has been able to refine the network to provide the best possible user experience.Ooredoo chief operating officer, Waleed Mohamed al-Sayed said: “Being the first operator in Qatar to commercially launch the ultrafast 4G LTE mobile broadband network in April is part of the spirit of the Ooredoo brand. We know what our customers want and we are delivering it to them in the best way possible. We thank ictQATAR for providing us with the spectrum for the 4G LTE network and our customers for their feedback during the trial period. We are confident the 4G LTE network will not only enhance our customers’ daily lives, but also boost Qatar’s knowledge-based economy.”The 4G LTE network is part of Ooredoo’s strategy in delivering across-the-board network enhancements. During 2013, Ooredoo has been enhancing indoor and outdoor network coverage, including enhancing 3G network capacity and improving coverage in high-rise buildings.