Ooredoo Group chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohamed bin Saud al-Thani with Sheikh Saud, Lindblad and Ooredoo and Ericsson executives at the agreement signing.
Ooredoo and communications technology leader, Ericsson, yesterday signed an agreement that would see the latter become one of the first named participants for the 2014 International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Telecom World Conference set to take place in Doha.
The agreement was signed by Ooredoo Qatar CEO Sheikh Saud bin Nasser al-Thani and Ericsson Middle East president Anders Lindblad at a ceremony held at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
In signing Ericsson for the event, Ooredoo has engaged one of the world’s leaders in communications technology – 40% of the world’s mobile traffic goes through Ericsson networks - demonstrating the “incredible” potential for innovation and technological development that will be released through the conference.
Ooredoo is showcasing a host of “Smart city” and “Connected lifestyle” innovations during the GSMA Mobile World Congress this year and aims to engage a number of leading partners like Ericsson in Qatar to support its efforts to make Qatar one of the world’s best-connected nations.
Many of these partners will discuss their plans at the ITU Conference later in the year.
As part of the development plan for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Ooredoo is working with the developers of a number of leading megaprojects and key facilities to design and build “networks of the future”. The technology will make it possible for people to access matches, make payments and enjoy Qatar’s “incredible facilities” using their mobile devices, as Doha becomes one of the “smartest cities” on Earth.
Sheikh Saud said, “We are proud to sign this agreement with Ericsson, one of the world leaders in communication technology, which will add significant value to this high profile event. We aim to make the ITU Telecom World Conference in Doha one of the best in the event’s long history, and we are bringing our leading partners to Qatar for the event.”
Lindblad said, “We are in the midst of an industry transformation and where we are at the moment is just the beginning. As we transition towards the networked society, when everything that benefits from a connection will be connected, new opportunities are opening up for communication in terms of innovation and productivity. We see Qatar at the forefront of this transformation, and our participation in ITU Telecom World 2014 is a key opportunity for Ericsson to showcase our innovation and how we are enabling, with our partners such as Ooredoo, the Networked Society.”
The event brings together influential global leaders in ICT from the public and private sectors, for strategic debate, knowledge-sharing, innovation showcasing and networking at the highest level.