Wireless Networks

Ooredoo launches Qatar’s first LTE-A services with Nokia Networks

Ooredoo Qatar has launched its nationwide LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) services, allowing its customers to enjoy downlink data speeds of up to 225 Mbps.

To achieve this, Nokia Networks upgraded the operator’s LTE network with LTE-A Carrier Aggregation – the first deployment of this technology in the country.

Carrier aggregation is a key feature of LTE-Advanced, enabling operators to create larger, virtual carrier bandwidths for services by combining separate spectrum bands, thus boosting network capacity and speed as well as performance.

As the sole LTE network provider of Ooredoo, Nokia Networks has built a complete radio and core network, providing its Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station, Evolved Packet Core technology and NetAct network management system. In addition, it has combined the 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum bands by upgrading the currently installed equipment with its carrier aggregation software.

Waleed Al-Sayed, COO, Ooredoo Qatar, said: “The demand for higher network capacity and speed in malls, stadiums and at national events is growing at a rapid pace. With Nokia Networks’ help, we are now able to address this demand, offering the fastest network with latest technology for our customers.”

Igor Leprince, executive vice president of Global Services and head of Middle East & Africa, Nokia Networks, said: “With our expertise in carrier aggregation, our experience in delivering superior network performance and our extensive network planning services, Ooredoo can significantly increase its data throughput for the best customer experience possible.”

The continuing demand for ever more capacity is driven largely by growing use of video. As people from all walks of life start to use media more intensively, another issue is their continually rising expectations of throughput and service - by 2020, a typical user will consume 1 GB of data per day. LTE-Advanced will provide a foundation to meet these challenging demands, as well as smooth way toward the 4G / 5G era.

 



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