Ooredoo

Ooredoo Q.P.S.C. is a Qatar-based telecommunications group whose consumer-facing brand developed from the country’s former national operator, Qatar Telecom, commonly known as Qtel. Founded by the Qatari government in Doha in 1987, the company began as the Qatar Public Telecommunications Corporation and was later reorganized as Qatar Telecom in 1998. Although private investment was introduced, the state retained majority control. The company became the principal telecommunications provider in Qatar and expanded from traditional voice services into mobile communications, broadband, fiber connectivity, television, digital content and business solutions. The Ooredoo name was introduced across the group in 2013. Derived from an Arabic expression meaning “I want,” the name was intended to communicate customer ambition, personal choice and the company’s stated objective of supporting human development. The rebrand unified Qtel and its international operating companies under one identity rather than treating the group as a collection of separately named national businesses. Several operations nevertheless retained strong local brands or later adopted combined identities, including Asiacell in Iraq and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison in Indonesia. Ooredoo’s business covers mobile voice and data, wireless broadband, fixed-line voice, fiber and home internet, enterprise connectivity, cloud and managed services, mobile financial services, entertainment and digital content. In Qatar, the company has introduced successive generations of mobile technology, including 3G, 4G LTE and commercial 5G. It has also operated fiber and television services for homes and businesses. International subsidiaries offer combinations of prepaid and postpaid mobile plans, fixed broadband, enterprise communications, roaming, digital entertainment and other telecommunications products adapted to local markets. The group expanded through a mixture of organic network investment, acquisitions, licenses and brand conversions. Important steps included the acquisition of Kuwait’s Wataniya Telecom in 2007, the development of operations in North Africa and South and Southeast Asia, and the integration of national operators under the Ooredoo identity. The company entered Myanmar after receiving a telecommunications license in 2014, but later exited that market as political and financial conditions deteriorated. In Indonesia, its mobile business combined with Hutchison 3 Indonesia in 2022 to create Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, a separately branded listed telecommunications company. Ooredoo has positioned itself as a digitally enabled communications provider rather than only a traditional mobile operator. Its brand activity has included international sports sponsorships, a partnership with footballer Lionel Messi, a premium partnership with Paris Saint-Germain and title sponsorship of Qatar’s Formula 1 event. The company has also worked with the Leo Messi Foundation on projects related to children and community development. Ooredoo remains active as a multinational operator, with its principal markets concentrated in the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia.

Ooredoo was established in Doha in 1987 by the government of Qatar as the Qatar Public Telecommunications Corporation. It was created to develop and operate the country’s telecommunications infrastructure and initially functioned as a wholly state-owned national operator. In 1998, the organization was transformed into Qatar Telecom, generally known as Qtel. Private investment was subsequently permitted, but the Qatari state retained majority influence. Qtel’s early development in Qatar involved the introduction and expansion of mobile, fixed-line and internet services. It launched 3G services in 2006, expanded its broadband and digital portfolio, and introduced mobile financial services in 2010. Its fiber rollout accelerated during the early 2010s, with higher-speed internet packages, television services and trials of 4G LTE mobile broadband. These investments helped move the company beyond fixed voice and basic mobile service toward an integrated communications model. International expansion became a central part of the company’s strategy. The group acquired Kuwait’s Wataniya Telecom in 2007 and developed or purchased interests in operators across the Gulf, North Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Several businesses were initially known by local names: Nawras in Oman, Wataniya in Kuwait and Maldives, Tunisiana in Tunisia, Nedjma in Algeria, and Indosat in Indonesia. As part of a global brand strategy, Qtel Group and its operating businesses were formally unified under the Ooredoo name in February 2013. The new name, associated with the Arabic phrase “I want,” was designed to express aspiration and customer empowerment. The rebranding continued across individual markets. Wataniya Maldives became Ooredoo Maldives in 2013, Nedjma became Ooredoo Algeria later that year, Tunisiana became Ooredoo Tunisia in 2014, Nawras became Ooredoo Oman in 2014, and Wataniya Telecom became Ooredoo Kuwait in 2014. Indosat adopted the Indosat Ooredoo name in 2015. Ooredoo also expanded into Myanmar after winning a license in 2013 and receiving formal authorization in 2014. That operation was later sold amid political instability and financial difficulties, with the disposal completed in 2024. Technology investment has remained a defining feature of the group. In Qatar, Ooredoo tested 5G technology from 2014 and launched a live commercial 5G network in 2018. The group also developed partnerships with network-equipment suppliers, including a major Nokia collaboration to expand Qatar’s mobile network. Its operating companies have offered combinations of 3G, 4G, fiber, WiMAX, fixed wireless and digital television services according to local market conditions. Ooredoo has used sports, entertainment and community partnerships to build a unified international identity. The company has sponsored football and motorsport, including Paris Saint-Germain and the Qatar Formula 1 Grand Prix. Lionel Messi became a global brand ambassador in 2013, and Ooredoo worked with the Leo Messi Foundation on development-oriented initiatives. The group continues to operate as a Qatar-controlled telecommunications company with a portfolio concentrated in nine markets across the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia.

1. 2024Myanmar exit finalized

   Ooredoo completed the sale of its Myanmar telecommunications operation.

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2. 2022Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison merger completed

   Indosat Ooredoo combined with Hutchison 3 Indonesia to form Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison.

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3. 2018Commercial 5G launch in Qatar

   Ooredoo launched a live commercial 5G network in Qatar, following earlier testing.

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4. 2014Entry into Myanmar

   Ooredoo received a license to build and operate a telecommunications network in Myanmar.

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5. 2013Global Ooredoo rebrand

   Qtel Group and its international operating companies were unified under the Ooredoo identity.

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6. 2010Mobile Money introduced in Qatar

   Qtel launched a mobile financial service while upgrading its domestic 3G network.

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7. 2007Acquisition of Wataniya Telecom

   Qtel acquired Kuwait-based Wataniya Telecom, strengthening its regional telecommunications portfolio.

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8. 1998Transformation into Qatar Telecom

   The organization became Qatar Telecom, commonly known as Qtel, and private investment was introduced while state control continued.

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9. 1987Qatar Public Telecommunications Corporation founded

   The Qatari government established the national telecommunications corporation in Doha.

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A state-backed, multinational communications group combining mass-market mobile connectivity with broadband, digital entertainment and enterprise technology services. Its brand emphasizes network modernization, digital inclusion, customer aspiration and support for social and economic development.

• Mobile voice and dataMobile telecommunications1987

  Ooredoo’s core offering includes prepaid and postpaid mobile voice, messaging and data plans. National operating companies provide services over successive generations of cellular networks, with products tailored to consumer, youth, enterprise and high-usage segments.

• Ooredoo 5GMobile telecommunications2018

  The group’s 5G offering provides higher-capacity mobile broadband and lower-latency connectivity in supported markets. Ooredoo launched a live commercial 5G network in Qatar in 2018 and has also commercialized 5G in Kuwait.

• Ooredoo FibreFixed broadband2012

  Fiber services connect homes and businesses to high-speed fixed broadband. In Qatar, the fiber rollout supported faster internet packages, television services and bundled communications products.

• Ooredoo TVDigital entertainment2012

  Ooredoo TV and related entertainment products combine television channels, video-on-demand and digital content with broadband and mobile services. Ooredoo Oman has also offered over-the-top television access through applications and set-top boxes.

• Mobile MoneyMobile financial services2010

  Mobile Money is a telecommunications-linked financial service introduced in Qatar to enable mobile-based payments and related transactions.

• Enterprise communications and ICTBusiness telecommunications

  Ooredoo serves corporate and institutional customers with fixed and mobile connectivity, business broadband, managed communications and other information and communications technology services. These offerings complement the consumer network business.

• 2021Ooredoo Qatar Grand Prix sponsorship

  Qatar · International

  Ooredoo Qatar became the title sponsor of Qatar’s first Formula 1 race at Lusail International Circuit.

  Outcome. Connected the brand with Qatar’s international motorsport profile.

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• 2013Global Ooredoo brand launch

  Qatar · Kuwait · Oman · Algeria · Tunisia · Maldives · Indonesia

  The group introduced Ooredoo as a common international identity, replacing or supplementing several national operator brands.

  Outcome. Created a unified brand platform for the group’s international telecommunications businesses.

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• 2013Lionel Messi global ambassador partnership

  Middle East · North Africa · Southeast Asia

  Ooredoo appointed Lionel Messi as a global brand ambassador and linked the partnership to community and human-development initiatives with the Leo Messi Foundation.

  Outcome. Expanded the brand’s international visibility and associated telecommunications marketing with social-development activities.

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• 2013Paris Saint-Germain partnership

  International

  Ooredoo became a premium partner of Paris Saint-Germain, with its logo appearing on the back of the club’s football shirts.

  Outcome. Provided a prominent global sports-marketing platform.

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• 2022Indosat Ooredoo and Hutchison 3 Indonesia mergerM&A

  Indonesia’s mobile market included Indosat Ooredoo and Hutchison 3 Indonesia as separate operators.

  What changed. The businesses merged to form Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, with the transaction closing in January 2022.

  Aftermath. The combined company became a major Indonesian telecommunications operator under the Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison brand.

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• 2022Decision to exit MyanmarStrategy

  Ooredoo faced political and financial difficulties in Myanmar amid the country’s instability.

  What changed. The group agreed to sell its Myanmar telecommunications business to Nine Communications.

  Aftermath. The sale was finalized in 2024 as Ooredoo concentrated on its strategic markets.

  Enterprise value. US$576 million (Transaction announced in 2022; completion finalized in 2024)

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• 2018Launch of commercial 5G in QatarProduct launch

  Ooredoo had tested 5G technology in Qatar since 2014 and was investing in network modernization.

  What changed. The company launched a live commercial 5G network in Qatar.

  Aftermath. Ooredoo became an early global commercial 5G operator and later commercialized 5G in Kuwait.

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• 2013Unify the group under the Ooredoo identityStrategy

  Qtel had developed a portfolio of operators using different national brands across several regions.

  What changed. The group adopted Ooredoo as its common international brand and rebranded operating companies in successive markets.

  Aftermath. The change established a single global identity while some local operating names continued to be used alongside Ooredoo.

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• 2022Ooredoo announced the sale of its Myanmar telecommunications business

  Ooredoo agreed to sell its Myanmar operation to Nine Communications as it refocused on strategic markets; the transaction was finalized in 2024.

  M&A
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• 2022Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison began operations after its merger

  The merger of Indosat Ooredoo and Hutchison 3 Indonesia closed in January 2022, creating Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison.

  M&A
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• 2021Ooredoo Qatar became title sponsor of the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix

  The inaugural Qatar Formula 1 race was announced under the Ooredoo Qatar Grand Prix title.

  Campaign
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• 2018Ooredoo became the first operator to launch a live commercial 5G network

  Ooredoo launched a live 5G network in Qatar after several years of testing and development.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2013Qtel unified its international businesses under the Ooredoo brand

  The group completed a broad identity change that replaced Qtel branding with Ooredoo across its operating companies.

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1. Ooredoo
2. Ooredoo official website