Ooredoo selects Huawei, Nokia to upgrade, expand networks in Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait

Nokia has been selected by Qatar-based multinational telecoms group Ooredoo to upgrade existing radio access networks (RAN) and deploy new sites in Algeria and Tunisia, to improve network performance and prepare for future 5G launches. Nokia will replace the existing RAN for Ooredoo Tunisia, as well as expand the network with the addition of new radio sites, while the Finnish vendor will increase its equipment share in Ooredoo Algeria’s network to almost 50%, and in Ooredoo Tunisia’s network to around 40%. Nokia will deploy its AirScale portfolio including base stations supporting 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G; massive MIMO Adaptive Antennas for urban and wide-area coverage; dual-band Remote Radio Heads (RRH); as well as its AirScale indoor Radio (ASiR) small cell solution for seamless indoor coverage. Nokia will also provide its AirFrame and CloudBand Application Manager (CBAM) solution for the network upgrade and deployment in Algeria and Tunisia.

Additionally, in Tunisia, Nokia will modernise Ooredoo’s IP network and modernise and extend its fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network, involving deployment of Nokia 7750 Service Routers and GPON solutions, increasing the vendor’s share in these elements to 100% in Ooredoo Tunisia’s network. Ahmad Al Neama, Group Regional CEO at Ooredoo Group, said: ‘Under this renewed partnership [with Nokia], we are taking our network to a new level of transformation to further improve our network performance and service experience for our customers.’

Separately, Ooredoo has signed the latest iteration of a partnership with Huawei to adopt the Chinese vendor’s technologies and solutions, including 5G, in Iraq, Tunisia, Kuwait and Oman. A five-year strategic global framework agreement between Ooredoo and Huawei, signed in 2021, preceded the latest partnership. A press release says that ‘the new iteration of partnership means Huawei will build further networks in Kuwait, Oman and Iraq … and will cooperate with Ooredoo on wireless equipment services in Tunisia.’ Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulla Al Thani, Deputy Group CEO at Ooredoo said: ‘Seeking, establishing and developing partnerships such as that we enjoy with Huawei enables us to quickly and efficiently respond to the ever-growing digital requirements of our industry and markets. This new agreement reflects our committed pursuit of advanced technologies and innovative solutions, in order to enable us to offer our customers an upgraded, ever-improving digital experience.’