Ooredoo has detailed how it responded to massively increased demands on its network during the Covid-19 lockdown period.
Recent statistics highlighted the phenomenal increase in customer demands on networks during the lockdown; a much greater number of voice calls with each call lasting twice as long, an 11,000% increase in video calls, 3,500% growth in online learning sessions and a five-fold increase in the number of gamers taking part in online contests, Ooredoo said in a statement on Tuesday.
A video showcasing Ooredoo’s efforts to meet this huge increase in demand details its response to the demand from a network perspective; network upgrades and capacity boosts at hundreds of sites across the country coped with the demand for more and longer voice calls, while additional mobile towers near field hospitals ensured patients could keep in touch with loved ones. Internet speeds were doubled, free of charge, across homes and businesses so that customers could stay connected, informed and entertained, the statement noted.
Engineers worked round-the-clock to ensure a reliable network for the millions of group video calls, and networks were optimised in order for educational establishments to continue providing lessons to the many students learning from home.
"Even entertainment was not missed; systems were boosted to handle increased demand for online gaming, with ping times shortened to ensure optimum gaming experiences, and extra channels were added to TV packages," the statement added.
Sabah Rabiah al-Kuwari - director of PR at Ooredoo - said: “The Covid-19 lockdown was challenging for all of us in Qatar, but we were determined to make things as easy as possible for our customers to support our country’s phenomenal efforts to minimise the impact of the pandemic. We’re committed to supporting our communities as part of our corporate social responsibility strategy, but even above our strategy, we’re committed to our customers and our country, and we’re proud that we were able to leverage our technology and experience to help everyone get through such a difficult time.”
