Ooredoo’s Wataniya Kuwait network is one of the best in the region, delivering network performance on a level with the very best international carriers, according to a new report from leading telecommunications engineering and consulting company Omnitele.
Among the key findings of the audit was that Wataniya Kuwait’s 3G network’s data rate is the best in the Omnitele global database, delivering average throughput speeds of 9.5Mbps compared to 8.3Mbps for the best operator measured in Europe.
In addition, the customer experience for voice calls – measured through a series of Key Performance Indicators – were considered “very good” compared to operators worldwide.
The survey measured performance across 222 hotspots in Kuwait, 5,200 km of drive-tests across the country, 640 km of sea measurements and 300 km of extra 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) measurements.
Overall, the report concludes: “The modernized Wataniya network performance is on a very good level compared to International standards.”
Wataniya Kuwait has recently completed a USD 400 million (KWD 113 million) network modernisation programme, which the company undertook in partnership with global ICT solutions providers Huawei and Ericsson.
As a result, it is one of several Ooredoo markets that has seen a major improvement in network quality in recent months. With the on-going roll-out of 4G across the country, Internet speeds and network performance are set to increase in the coming months.
Dr. Nasser Marafih, Group CEO, Ooredoo, said: “As we implement our network enhancement strategy across our footprint in the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia, Ooredoo’s Wataniya network modernization programme has delivered a significant improvement in customers’ online experience, and is already impacting job creation, household income, and GDP growth.”
In order to deliver enhanced indoor coverage for 3G and 4G LTE Mobile Broadband networks, Wataniya Kuwait has completely rebuilt its mobile network, deploying cutting-edge U900 technology for the first time in Kuwait
Reflecting the significant improvement, the company’s integrated campaign Most Advanced Network has seen strong customer feedback, with data utilisation growing by 20% over the last three months.
Ooredoo’s Wataniya network enhancement fully supports Kuwait’s five-year development plan from 2010-2014, as ICT drives the country’s information society across the public, education, health, trade, and industry sectors.
Globally, Ooredoo’s network modernisation programme is helping enhance coverage in markets where 4G has been launched, and in markets where 4G and even enhanced 3G are still in development.
Wataniya Kuwait commercially launched 4G LTE in July 2013, joining Ooredoo Qatar and Nawras in Oman. Ooredoo Maldives launched 4G in April 2013.
Tunisiana Ooredoo launched 3G in 2013 and has delivered nationwide coverage in Tunisia, while Ooredoo Algeria recently launched Algeria’s first 3G network. Asiacell in Iraq is preparing its 2G network to be upgraded to 3G, pending government approval.
In Indonesia, Indosat has rolled-out enhanced 3G coverage on the 900 MHz spectrum, ensuring that the company can launch 4G services when the market is ready.
In the coming months, Ooredoo will continue to enhance network coverage in response to customer demands. Ooredoo holds a 92.1 percent stake in Wataniya Kuwait.
About Ooredoo
Ooredoo is a leading international communications company delivering mobile, fixed, broadband internet and corporate managed services tailored to the needs of consumers and businesses across markets in the Middle East, North Africa and South-East Asia. As a community-focused company, Ooredoo is guided by its vision of enriching people’s lives and its belief that it can stimulate human growth by leveraging communications to help people achieve their full potential. Ooredoo has a presence in markets such as Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Palestine, the Maldives and Indonesia. The company was named ‘Best Mobile Operator’ of the year 2013 at World Communication Awards. Ooredoo reported revenues of $9.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2012 and had a consolidated global customer base of more than 92.9 million people as of 31 December 2012. Ooredoo’s shares are listed on the Qatar Exchange and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.
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