Ooredoo Group signed a new network transformation agreement with Ericsson at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that will enable it to extend its competitive advantage by leveraging its global group-scale in its relationship with the technology leader. 
Under the agreement, Ooredoo will transform its network and will be backed by Ericsson’s services organization and solutions portfolio enabling the company to continue to modernise its networks while ensuring that cutting-edge technologies are shared faster with customers around the world. 
The agreement builds upon the two companies’ 2015 Group Frame Agreement to standardize the terms and conditions of supply of the Ericsson’s hardware, software, and services portfolio across all Ooredoo operations. 
Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Ooredoo Group Waleed Al-Sayed, said that the frame agreement enables Ooredoo to extend its competitive advantage by immediately benefitting from all of the world-class technologies Ericsson offer, while strategically positioning Ooredoo as an early adopter of new technologies Ericsson is set to bring to market in the future. 
Ericsson currently supplies Ooredoo Group with 2G, 3G and 4G radio, core and transmissions solutions. Ooredoo provides 4G services in eight markets in the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia, and is putting a framework in place in the build-up to the availability of 5G services that will be supported by this frame agreement. 
"With the increasing demands on digital services, we have experienced strong interests from the industry on deployments of advanced network services and solutions. Through this partnership, we will provide Ooredoo Group with the latest technologies that can provide smooth and efficient operation on their networks and deliver differentiated customer experience to their subscribers across their different Operating Companies (OPCOs)," Head of Ericsson Region Middle East and East Africa Rafiah Ibrahim said. 
Ooredoo is an international communications company operating across the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia. Serving consumers and businesses in 10 countries, Ooredoo delivers the leading data experience through a broad range of content and services via its advanced, data-centric mobile and fixed networks. 
Ooredoo served 138 million customers and generated revenues of $8.9 billion as of 31 December 2016. Its shares are listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. 
Ericsson is a world leader in communications technology and services with headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Its organization consists of more than 111,000 experts who have provided customers in 180 countries with innovative solutions and services. Net sales in 2016 were $24.5 billion.

Source: QNA