Ooredoo announced it has just signed a partnership with Al Khalij Commercial Bank )al khaliji),  to enable its customers to pay for Ooredoo services from their al khaliji Bank accounts via online banking.

The partnership, which was cemented at a signing ceremony on 20 November 2019, means Ooredoo customers may soon pay their Shahry, Fibre and Home Broadband bills via online banking, as well as recharging their prepaid accounts.

Online banking with al khaliji Bank is available 24/7, meaning customers can log on and pay bills or recharge anytime, from wherever they are. This way, they can avoid queues and make payments at a time of their choosing rather than being restricted to branch opening hours. Yousuf Abdulla Al Kubaisi, Chief Operating Officer, Ooredoo Qatar, said: “Time is of the essence for all of us; we’re busy, and we have to take care of everyday tasks including paying bills and recharging phones. Enabling online banking payments with our new partner al khaliji Bank creates yet another way to make our customers’ lives easier, contributing to complete customer satisfaction, and is also another step on our journey to complete digitalisation.” 

Hamad Al-Kubaisi, Group Chief HR and Administration Officer at al khaliji, said: “Digital banking is high on the agenda of al khaliji Bank as we evolve it to respond to the needs of our customers many of whom are today looking for more improved self-service alternatives. Our digital banking options give customers total control of paying bills anywhere, anytime.”

Ooredoo, the region’s leading enabler of digital business innovation, announced the rollout of new security features for its Business Broadband portfolio, in partnership with Secure64 Software Corporation, a leading provider of Security as a Service solutions.

Ooredoo’s Business Broadband customers, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and small office customers, can find enhanced levels of protection from malware, ransomware, and malicious software on their networks and devices. Ooredoo is rolling out Secure64’s security solutions across its Business Broadband at no extra cost to protect users from malware distribution sites. The service also neutralises devices that can become infected when not on the Ooredoo network, to avoid them from causing harm to the business and their network.

Yousuf Abdulla Al Kubaisi, Chief Operating Officer, Ooredoo Qatar, said:“In the face of increasingly complex cyber-threats, Ooredoo’s partnership with Secure64 provides our Business Broadband customers with new levels of simple and robust security features. Our customers can reduce the risk of data loss, protect their reputation, and provide simple protection of all devices without management overhead.” Ooredoo’s Business Broadband already provides customers with high-quality, reliable, broadband Internet, along with multiple value-added services. Providing new levels of security further enhances Ooredoo Business Broadband as Qatar’s most innovative and secure business fibre product on the market.

Worldwide, Secure64’s DNS-based security solutions protect more than 1 billion subscribers. Secure64’s SecureOS is a DNS-focused operating system that provides service providers with scalable and virtualised DNS performance and unmatched security. Steve Goodbarn, CEO of Secure64, said: “Qatar’s organisationsneed secure, reliable, and responsive broadband service. Ooredoo is among leading global service providers that are pioneering Secure64’s protective security services that can shield business customers from cyber-threats. We will continue to work with Ooredoo to roll out unparalleled business security services.”

Business customers can leverage the Ooredoo Advantage, making Ooredoo “Best for Business”, thanks to its breadth and depth of talent, best fixed and mobile networks, broadest portfolio of ICT services and solutions, and trusted partner for 60 years.

Qatar’s leading telecommunications provider has held a press conference to announce the sponsors for the upcoming 2020 Ooredoo Doha Marathon being held on 10 January 2020.

The Ooredoo Doha Marathon is a phenomenally popular highlight of the Doha sporting calendar, attracting professional athletes alongside a vast number of local runners. Last year’s event saw some 4,000 participants take to the streets for the race, which took place over a scenic course passing some of Doha’s most iconic landmarks. This year, more than 4,500 runners are signed up to take part in the event, which will be the eighth consecutive marathon. As well as the competitive full 42.2km marathon, the event includes distances for all ages and abilities, including a 1km family fun run and a 10km run.

Ooredoo held a press conference at its headquarters, Ooredoo Tower in West Bay, in the presence of representatives from both Ooredoo and the sponsoring companies to announce the sponsors. For the 2020 Ooredoo Doha Marathon, the sponsors will be Huawei; North Oil; Qatar Airways, Aspire, Alkalive, Kidzania, QIC, Al Watan, CHOC’LATE and Aspetar. As in previous years, and in line with Ooredoo’s corporate social responsibility strategy, all funds raised through marathon entrance fees will be donated to charity. This year’s chosen beneficiary will be Qatar Cancer Society.

Speaking of the sponsorships, Manar Khalifa Al-Muraikhi – Director PR and Corporate Communications – said: “We’re delighted to be working with such an incredible group of sponsors as we prepare for what is always one of the most popular events on Doha’s sporting calendar. Our corporate social responsibility strategy includes a clear mandate to support and promote sporting events that contribute to the development and maintenance of a healthy, balanced lifestyle, in line with the United Nations Sustainability Goals, and this event is an ideal way for us to show this support in a practical way.

Manar Al-Muraikhi added: “Our sporting slogan is ‘Empowering you to win’ and, in organising this event, we believe we can empower people in Qatar to get out there, join in, be active and enjoy fitness. We look forward to working with our sponsors to make the 2020 Marathon bigger and better than ever before and we thank them for their generous contribution.”

Qatar’s leading telecommunications operator, Ooredoo, has announced special New Year 2020 offers for new and existing Shahry and Qatarna customers.

Both new customers signing up for a new Shahry 5G or Qatarna 5G pack, and existing customers upgrading to a new Shahry 5G or Qatarna 5G pack, can choose an Add-on pack – either extra data, local minutes or international minutes, depending on pack – absolutely FREE for 3 months. New customers signing up for a Shahry 5G Pack will have the choice of the Data Pack 30, the Local Pack 30 or the International Pack 30 for three months FREE. They can enjoy from 2GB to 5GB extra data, 300 to 1000 local minutes or 25 to 100 international minutes extra free per month.

New Qatarna customers will get Data Pack 50 or International Pack 50 FREE for three months, giving them from 20GB up to 30GB data or 500 to 1000 international minutes extra free per month. Offers for new customers must be activated in any of our Ooredoo shops around town. Existing Shahry customers who upgrade to a new Shahry 5G pack will get the Data Pack 30 – normally priced at QR30 - free for three months, giving them from 2GB to 10GB data extra per month.

Existing Qatarna customers who upgrade to a new Qatarna 5G Pack will get the Data Pack 50 - normally priced at QR50 per month - free for three months, giving them from 20GB to 30GB data extra absolutely FREE. Offers for existing customers will be activated automatically once the upgrade is processed. Speaking of the offers, Manar Khalifa Al-Muraikhi – Director PR and Corporate Communications at Ooredoo – said: “The recent launch of our new Shahry and Qatarna 5G postpaid packs has been extremely popular and we’re delighted to introduce these offers so customers get even better for value for money as well as our awesome service. Whether they have a 5G-compatible device or not yet, they’ll be able to access the Supernet and stay in touch with loved ones for longer with the free Add-ons.”

The New Year 2020 promotion runs from 31 December 2019 until 4 January 2020.

Ooredoo has emphasised the critical importance of the Qatar 2020 Census, as the data gathered forms the basis of the country’s strategic plans for the future. The telecoms operator also called on Qatari citizens and residents to cooperate with Census researchers and facilitate their mission for the benefit of all.

Ooredoo noted that the results of the Census - as the main source of information relating to current and expected population levels, workforce and other national statistics – forms the foundation of all strategic plans for housing, development, education and training, as well as national policies. Ooredoo stressed that the importance of the Census, in its capacity of providing a snapshot of society at a set moment in time, is due to its being the only comprehensive inventory of the country’s population, housing and facilities, information which is of critical interest to planners, researchers and decision-makers.

Manar Khalifa Al-Muraikhi, Director PR and Corporate Communications at Ooredoo, said of the Census: “Our participation in, and support for, this national project – one of the most important statistical projects in the country - comes within the framework of our corporate social responsibility and our aim of achieving sustainable development. Ooredoo's participation in the Census is in the form of sending text messages to citizens and residents, and sharing information on the project via our digital media platforms, as well as issuing internal bulletins to educate our staff about the importance of statistics."

The Qatar 2020 Census project’s main aim is to create a high-quality central registry of population, housing and facilities data, with comprehensive coverage, connected to a system for continuous updating of this data.

Ooredoo announced it is to continue its support for the Qatar ExxonMobil Open at the 2020 event with Silver Sponsorship.

The 28^th edition of the ATP 250 tournament, a popular fixture on the tour, is set to be held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha from 6-11 January 2020. Some of the world’s top tennis players have confirmed their attendance, including three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland and 2012 champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Other contenders include 2013 champion Richard Gasquet, 2018 finalist Audrey Rublev, 2016 Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic and Doha resident Fernando Verdasco, the 2009 Australian Open semi-finalist and finalist at the 2010 Monte Carlo Rolex Masters.

The event serves as the opener for the tennis season, offering players the chance to warm up and prepare for the 2019 Grand Slam events such as the Australian Open, on the calendar two weeks later in Melbourne, Australia. Manar Khalifa Al Muraikhi, Director PR and Corporate Communications at Ooredoo, said of the support: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the ATP Tour again this year, as a key part of our corporate social responsibility strategy is an emphasis on supporting sporting events that raise awareness of health and fitness within our communities. We look forward to welcoming the world’s greatest tennis players to another exciting event with lots of great matches being played.”

Tickets for the 2020 Qatar ExxonMobil Open will be on sale online at qatartennis.org, at dedicated kiosks at Doha Festival City and City Center, and at the tournament venue.

Ooredoo, the region’s leading enabler of digital business innovation, has announced the partnership contract renewal for 2020 with Plug and Play, the Silicon Valley-based world’s largest innovation ecosystem, which aims to connect major corporations, start-ups, and investors.

Since March 2019, Ooredoo and Plug and Play have evaluated more than 200 start-ups, and built seven Minimum Viable Projects. Currently, Ooredoo has two projects in production: the Ooredoo Virtual Store, and Digital Opportunities for People with Physical Disabilities for in partnership with the accessible travel start-up Wheel the World.

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad bin Nasser Al Thani, Chief Business Officer at Ooredoo Qatar, said: “Our partnership with Plug and Play is delivering great insights and co-creation results – and turning our digital transformation journey into a reality. With the world’s newest technology and most innovative companies, we are quickly implementing new customer-centric products and services. We are also exchanging global best practices to both Qatar and our internal teams to support Qatar’s innovation-led economy of the future.”

In Qatar, Ooredoo is continuing to leverage new and emerging technologies from Plug and Play’s start-ups to pioneer innovations that can solve business and customer challenges. For example, the Ooredoo Digital portfolio includes working with Caban on artificial intelligence and solar power reducing up to 75 percent of diesel opex spend, with Onfido on facial recognition and ID fraud detection for online purchases on the Ooredoo website, and with Startup Sentiance on geo-fencing and machine learning for targeted messaging campaigns.

MJ Cootsona, Partnerships Director, Plug and Play, said: “Ooredoo has been a valued addition to our diverse Internet of Things ecosystem, with engagement that is often double that of our global average. Ooredoo has introduced 25 start-ups in Qatar, and has also made major pushes in dealflows, proofs of concept, and commercialisation – catalysing Ooredoo’s innovation and Qatar’s diversified economic growth.”

Ooredoo and United Development Company (UDC), one of Qatar’s leading public shareholding companies and the master developer of The Pearl-Qatar and Gewan Island, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide combined and smart services to The Pearl-Qatar residents.

In line with Ooredoo’s and UDC’s goal of enhancing people’s digital lives, both parties intend to collectively work towards migrating UDC’s Content Broadcast to Ooredoo ONE Broadband and TV service. In addition to the amazing entertainment on offer already with Ooredoo ONE, UDC’s impressive internet-protocol TV will also be made available via Ooredoo ONE, expanding even further the range of channels and options from which residents can choose. 

The MoU will also pave the way for more cooperation between the two companies in the areas of developing smart solutions and the concept of smart homes to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030. Commenting on this MOU, Mr. Ibrahim Jassim Al-Othman, UDC President and Chief Executive Officer and Member of The Board, said: “This agreement with Ooredoo shows our commitment to delivering the best experience for our residents and customers at The Pearl-Qatar by providing the most-advanced smart solutions that improve the lives of the residents and investors at The Pearl-Qatar, by providing Ooredoo’s integrated services to their homes at competitive prices.”

For his part, Mr. Yousuf Al-Kubaisi, Ooredoo Chief Operating Officer – said: “We’re committed to Qatar Vision 2030’s goal of a digitalised society, and committed to providing the best possible products and services to our customers. We’re delighted and proud to have signed this MoU with UDC, as it enables us to enhance the benefits of living on The Pearl-Qatar with our amazing Ooredoo ONE service. We’re sure residents of The Pearl-Qatar will enjoy the superior Wi-Fi coverage, speeds and reliability, and the awesome entertainment on offer.”

Qatar’s leading telecommunications company is set to celebrate 2020 National Sport Day with an active day out at MIA Park and a host of exciting promotions.

The telecomms leader will be offering a wide range of activities in the Park from 8am until 5pm on Tuesday 11 February 2020. More than 45 activities suitable for all ages and abilities will be available, from handball, volleyball and basketball to martial arts and more. There will also be group activities on the main stage including aerobics, boot camp and a whole host of other exciting activities for all the family.

Customers can also make the most of special promotions in honour of the day. The latest version of the Ooredoo app will be required, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

1. The 2020 National Sport Day Quiz! There will be a new question every day on 9,10 and 11 February 2020 and all customers need to do to be in with a chance to win a smart watch or a QR2,000 voucher for Sports Corner is get the question right! There will be two winners each day.
2. Walk to win! Customers can track steps with the Ooredoo App and reach 10,000 to get 2020MB data absolutely FREE, and a QR69 voucher to be used at Sports Corner on a spend of QR299 in one transaction.
3. Visit MIA Park! The special 2020 National Sport Day barcode is hidden in MIA Park; customers can find it and scan it to receive 500 Nojoom points absolutely FREE.
4. And, if customers take part in all three promotions, they will get an EXTRA 500 Nojoom points absolutely FREE! Customers who are not already Nojoom members can enroll online or via the Ooredoo App.

The winners of the 2020 National Sports Day Quiz will be announced on Wednesday 12 February 2020.

Speaking of the event, Manar Khalifa Al-Muraikhi – Director PR and Corporate Communications at Ooredoo– said: “A key focus of our corporate social responsibility strategy is supporting the Qatar National Vision goals, one of which is to promote health and wellbeing, and this event is the perfect way to encourage everyone to get moving, get fit and adopt a healthy, active lifestyle. We’re looking forward to celebrating National Sport Day with as many Doha citizens and residents as possible, and to enjoying a great day of fun fitness activities for all the family. And, of course, we’re delighted to be offering special promotions in honour of the occasion, so our customers can enjoy great benefits.”

Ooredoo Q.P.S.C. (“Ooredoo”) – Ticker (ORDS): For the fifth year in a row, Ooredoo has been a winner at the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) Investor Relations Excellence Awards, in a ceremony held on Wednesday, February 5th, 2020.

This year, Ooredoo has been recognised as a leader in these categories: “Best CFO”, “Best Investor Relations Officer”, and “Best overall IR”. The Ooredoo IR website was ranked first in the “Best IR Website” category.  The awards highlight the merits of Ooredoo Group’s senior management and the investor relations team.

Sheikh Saud Bin Nasser Al Thani, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are pleased to have been recognised by the Qatar Stock Exchange for our excellence in investor relations for the fifth year in a row. I would like to thank my team for upholding the highest standards of communications and transparency in investor relations and my gratitude goes to all Ooredoo Group employees who are central to the success of our company, our strong revenue generation ability, and the social and economic impact that we make in the countries where we operate. All of these contribute to our goal of delivering long term shareholder value.

“I would like to congratulate our fellow award recipients and to thank the Qatar Stock Exchange for promoting best practice disclosures and overseeing a healthy capital market activity in Qatar.”

Email: IR@ooredoo.com

Follow us on Twitter: @OoredooIR

Ooredoo, the region’s leading enabler of digital business innovation, announced the new Industrial Metering solution, which enables organisations to capture the energy and water usage in their organisation and to optimise the consumption, costs, and safety.

Previously, Qatar’s organisations faced numerous challenges with their energy and water usage – they wanted to reduce their spending, but did not know which departments or sections were consuming the most water and energy. Hence, they could not pinpoint how to start saving on their consumption costs. For example, organisations with rented facilities or storage space, which were charging their tenants for the energy and water consumption, had to take time-intensive and error-prone manual readings of their sub-meters in facilities in order to collect usage data and charge the related costs to their tenants.

Now, with Ooredoo Industrial Metering, Qatar’s organisations can automatically capture energy and water usage data, accessible from their central office. As a result, organisations can gain granular usage reports with breakdown by departments or building sections, and can understand consumption patterns. Hence, they can now optimise energy and water consumption and costs based on benchmarking and actionable information. Organisations with rented space, can automatically get updated readings from their sub-meters within facilities and easily generate cost reports to their tenants. They can even free up resources in avoiding manual readings, and can have more accurate and reliable data.

The captured real-time data can also be used to detect and alert critical events, such as water leakage, critical high consumption, or even power outages in sections. Organisations can therefore lower the risk of severe impacts, and protect their related assets and goods. Yusuf Abdulla Al Kubaisi, Chief Operating Officer, Ooredoo Qatar: “Our Industrial Metering solution continues to expand our growing Internet of Things portfolio. This new solution help Qatar’s organisations to better manage their costs, and to improve efficiencies and safety, both for their own operations and for their tenants. Industrial Metering’s real-time analytics can allow organisations to transform and optimise their operations and to even enable new services to their clients.”

Ooredoo Industrial Metering is an end-to-end cloud-based solution to automatically capture energy and water usage in facilities, and includes all components covering hardware, mobile Internet of Things connectivity, and applications and services. The application, built on Ooredoo’s innovative IoT Platform, provides a graphical dashboard with real-time analytics, granular reporting with historical data for benchmarking and alerts on such critical events. The platform is hosted in Ooredoo’s industry-leading Tier 3-certified Qatar Data Centre, so Qatar’s organisations can rest assured that their data is kept safe in-country under high security standards.

Business customers can leverage the Ooredoo Advantage, making Ooredoo “Best for Business”, thanks to its breadth and depth of talent, best fixed and mobile networks, broadest portfolio of ICT services and solutions, and trusted partner for 60 years.

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) Corporate Challenge will again be a part of the annual Ooredoo Ride of Champions scheduled to take place on March 13.

Participation has been widened to include the entire private sector, according to a press statement. “As part of its corporate social responsibility strategy, Qatar Stock Exchange has continued to work with the Ooredoo Ride of Champions — growing the QSE Corporate Challenge in order to promote healthy living within the business community,” the statement notes.

The Ooredoo Ride of Champions is the biggest mass-participation cycling event in Qatar and the pinnacle of the community events organised by Qatar Cyclists, as it offers rides that suit all ages and experience levels, with ability-friendly categories added this year. The target is to have 2,000 participants in this year’s event, to be hosted by Qatar Foundation (QF). In 2019 the QSE Corporate Challenge was a “first-of-its-kind” initiative, offering prizes to its most active companies during the Ride of Champions. For 2020, in addition to the team awards, two new individual awards have been added.

The QSE Corporate Challenge Health Champion Award will be presented to the company that encourages the most members of its staff and their families to participate for any distance category, be it the Kids Ride, Family Ride (on closed roads in QF), Short Route (48km), Standard Route (78km) and Long Route (137.5km) events. The QSE Corporate Challenge Speed Champions Award will be presented to the company with the fastest adult team. The results will be calculated by determining the QSE-listed company with the fastest average speed for its four fastest riders over any of the open road distances — 48km, 78km or 137.5km.

Prizes for the QSE Corporate Challenge will be awarded the week after the event at the companies’ offices. These will include a trophy for the company to keep at its offices and recognition for the year at the QSE offices and on the trading floor. New for 2020 are two individual awards: the QSE CEO Challenge and Fastest Corporate Rider. The QSE CEO Challenge is a new award to encourage the leaders of private sector companies and organisations to participate in and lead from the front. It will see the fastest CEO, chairman, owner or chief financial, marketing or other chief-level officer get awarded. The prize will go to the fastest individual in this category by average speed (overall in road events).

To be a part of the CEO challenge, one can tick the CEO box when entering the corporate challenge or, if already registered, e-mail to info@rocdoha.qa

The Fastest Corporate Rider (for each distance) is a new challenge to recognise the fastest corporate challenge rider as an individual over each of the three road ride distances. The prize will be awarded to the fastest QSE challenge participants by time. Rashid bin Ali al-Mansoori, CEO of QSE, said: “We are proud to continue this partnership agreement and widen the participation to include the entire private sector, and encourage members of our community to practise sports and lead healthy lifestyles.” Dr Abulazziz al-Kuwari, president of Qatar Cyclists, added: “We are thrilled that QSE has continued its partnership with the Ooredoo Ride of Champions. Their unique support of our events helps promote cycling among the employees of not only their listed companies, but also the wider business community.”

Participants eligible to join the QSE Corporate Challenge will need to register to take part in the Ooredoo Ride of Champions via this link (Rocdoha.qa/registration). If they are already registered but haven’t listed their company, they will be able to inform the organisers at registration or can also do that before the event by sending an e-mail to info@rocdoha.qa

Hamad al-Jaaidi, co-managing director of the Ooredoo Ride of Champions, said: “QSE and our event partners continue to set the example to all companies in Qatar on how to use community events to promote sports and active lifestyles.”

Ooredoo Q.P.S.C. (“Ooredoo”) - Ticker: ORDS today announced its financial results for the year ended 31 December 2019.

Financial Highlights:

• Strong Q4 2019 with Revenue growth (+8% yoy) contributing to a strong EBITDA improvement (+11% yoy)
• Reported Group Revenue was stable at QAR 29.9 billion, in spite of the industry wide shift from voice to data consumption, a reduction in handset sales as well as macroeconomic and currency weakness in some of our markets.
• FY 2019 Group EBITDA increased by 5% year-on-year to QAR 12.8 billion, with a corresponding EBITDA margin of 43%, driven by efficiency programs in some operating companies and a positive impact from the implementation of the new IFRS 16 accounting standard.
• Group Net Profit attributable to Ooredoo shareholders increased by 10% to QAR 1.7 billion in 2019, compared to last year. Growth was driven by an increase in EBITDA, a more favorable Foreign Exchange environment compared to 2018, which was partially offset by a negative IFRS16 impact on Net Profit. Ooredoo Qatar, Kuwait, Tunisia, Iraq and Indonesia performed well. Furthermore Ooredoo Indosat’s Profit benefited from the sale of 3,100 towers

The Board recommends the distribution of a cash dividend of QAR 0.25 per share. Additionally, the Ooredoo Board approved a sustainable and progressive dividend policy for the company, aiming for a dividend payout in the range of 40% to 60% of normalized earnings.

Operational highlights

• The Group customer base was 117 million, up by 2% compared to 2018, mainly driven by new customers in Indonesia, Myanmar and Kuwait.
• Ooredoo Group leads in 5G adoption with live commercial 5G networks in Qatar and Kuwait and successful 5G testing in Oman. Ooredoo Qatar applied 5G technology during the FIFA Club World Cup Final in December 2019 in Doha with excellent coverage and network quality. In Oman Ooredoo showcased the power of 5G at experience zones in its stores across Muscat and Salalah.
• Ooredoo launched a number of innovative products including ‘ANA’ in Kuwait, a brand new fully digital mobile experience which gained the distinction of ‘Best Digital Service’ at the Telecoms World Middle East Awards 2019.
• Ooredoo continued to be a pioneer in emerging markets, becoming the first company in Algeria to offer 4G services to all 48 Wilayas (provinces), building the fastest mobile network in Myanmar, reconnecting services to the liberated areas in Iraq and achieving the widest 3G coverage in the country, and capturing a strong 4G market leadership position in Tunisia. 
• In Q4 2019, Indosat Ooredoo concluded the sale of 3,100 telecommunication towers with a total transaction amount of IDR 6.39 trillion (equivalent to QAR 1,644 million). This transaction will allow Indosat Ooredoo to further invest into the network and improve customer experiences.
• Post period, Ooredoo Maldives’ telecommunications license, which encompasses mobile, fixed and internet services, was extended by 15-years starting as of Feb 1, 2020.

Commenting on the results, H.E. Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al-Thani, Chairman of Ooredoo, said: “In 2019 we made good progress with the execution of our ambitious digital transformation strategy, transforming our core user experience online and making it easier for our customers to find and use our services. We continued to invest in our-state-of-the-art network, as well as introducing and enhancing 5G services in key markets to support the next generation of digital services.

Testament to the success of our strategy is that more than 50 percent of Group revenues now come from data, which is an important milestone for a telecommunications company that continues to evolve and develop. Our internal change programme is also aligned with our digital transformation strategy, and encompasses every aspect of our operation, from talent management to sales, marketing and customer care, enabling us to further optimise our cost base while ensuring a user experience that enhances the digital lives of our customers.

Importantly, our strategy enabled us to deliver a strong financial performance in 2019, with reported net profit attributable to shareholders up by 10% to QAR 1.7 billion. Therefore, I am pleased to announce that the Board of Directors will recommend the distribution of a cash dividend of QAR 0.25 per share at the annual general meeting in March 2020. Our Board approved a sustainable and progressive dividend policy for the company, aiming for a dividend pay-out range of 40% to 60% of normalised earnings.

Operationally, we are leading the industry through innovation and by offering our customers world class services that complement their digital lifestyles. In our home market of Qatar, we were honoured to be recognised as the best ‘Global Mobile Solution’ in 2019 by MoneyGram, for our mobile payment solution, Ooredoo Money. In Kuwait, we were awarded the ‘Best Digital Service’ at the Telecoms World Middle East Awards 2019, for ANA, a fully digital mobile experience launched early last year.”    

Also commenting on the results, Sheikh Saud bin Nasser Al Thani, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ooredoo said: “Ooredoo Group delivered a strong set of results in 2019, against a backdrop of an evolving telecommunications industry. Our success was driven by the precise execution of our digital transformation strategy, in concert with the culture of innovation which permeates Ooredoo Group. This enabled us to remain agile and meet the changing needs of our customers.

Group revenue was stable at QAR 29.9 billion in 2019, in spite of the industry wide shift from voice to data consumption, a reduction in handset sales as well as macroeconomic and currency weakness in some of our markets. Throughout the year, we made significant productivity improvements as we digitised our processes and optimised our cost base. EBITDA for 2019 was QAR 12.8 billion, an increase of 5% compared to the previous year. Similarly, our EBITDA margin improved to 43% in 2019, compared to 41% in the previous year driven by improvements in Qatar, Kuwait, Tunisia, Indonesia and Maldives.

Ooredoo Qatar managed to improve EBITDA margins from 52% in 2018 to 54% in 2019 and demonstrated readiness to support major sporting events with a flawless application of 5G stadium technology during the final round of the Fifa Club World Cup in Doha. Our strategy in Indonesia supported a strong recovery in Indosat Ooredoo’s financial performance which delivered revenue growth of 14% and EBITDA growth of 47% in 2019, compared to the previous year. Our digital distribution strategy in Myanmar was well received by the market and supported an expansion in Ooredoo Myanmar’s user base by 20%. An optimised product mix and careful cost management contributed to a 31% growth in Ooredoo Kuwait’s EBITDA, despite competitive market pressures.”

Operational Review

Middle East

Ooredoo Qatar

Ooredoo Qatar delivered a steady performance in 2019, building on its global leadership in 5G services to provide an excellent online experience for customers. Revenue stood at QAR 7.3bn, impacted by a fall in handset sales but enhanced by business-to-business growth. Ooredoo Qatar reported stable EBITDA of QAR 4.0bn with an increased EBITDA margin of 54%. Customer numbers were 3.3 million by year-end in line with 2018.

Ooredoo Qatar’s strong 5G presence continued to be well received by customers, while an enhanced portfolio of digital services contributed to a growth in post-paid customers. The new Ooredoo ONE ‘all-in-one' home service increased the number of digital entertainment customers. A focus on cost optimization, through multiple initiatives and further digitization, helped to boost efficiency throughout 2019. The increasing range of online and digital channels for self-service and self-care made it easier for customers to find, buy and use Ooredoo services in Qatar.

Ooredoo Oman

Ooredoo Oman reported good financial results, with revenues increasing to QAR 2.7 billion for the year 2019. The company successfully migrated some of its prepaid customers to post-paid plans in line with its strategy to target higher value customers. This resulted in higher revenues. Customer base stood at 2.9 million at the end of 2019. EBITDA improved by 2% to QAR 1.5 billion in 2019.  In support of Oman’s 5G ambitions, Ooredoo Oman participated in the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority’s ‘5G Roadmap’ event and showcased the power of 5G at experience zones in its stores across Muscat and Salalah. During the year, Ooredoo Oman expanded its broadband network to cover almost all Wilayahs across the Sultanate, and the company’s Supernet network now covers over 98% of Oman’s population.

Ooredoo Kuwait

Ooredoo Kuwait’s innovative product offering enabled it to grow its customer base by 12% to 2.6 million at the end of 2019 compared to the previous year, as the company progresses towards a 5G enabled future.

EBITDA during the year increased 31% to QAR 867 million supported by an improved product mix, efficiency initiatives and the positive impact from the implementation of the accounting standard IFRS 16. Revenue was down 5% to QAR 2.8 billion in 2019 compared to the previous year, partially due to a reduction in handset sales and competitive market dynamics. During the last quarter of the year, Ooredoo Kuwait launched 5G internet plans and 5G MiFi router. Earlier in the year, Ooredoo Kuwait launched ‘ANA’, a brand new fully digital mobile experience which gained the distinction of ‘Best Digital Service’ at the Telecoms World Middle East Awards 2019.

Asiacell - Iraq

Asiacell reported revenue growth of 3% to QAR 4.6 billion in 2019, despite a flat customer base of 14.2 million customers. The company maintained a healthy EBITDA margin of 45% in 2019 while EBITDA declined slightly from QAR 2.1 billion in 2018 to QAR 2.0 billion in 2019. Asiacell upgraded its entire network to support 3G, achieving the widest 3G coverage in the country in 2019. Committed to bringing connectivity to all communities it serves, Asiacell restored service to liberated regions and further expanded to the south of the country.

North Africa

Ooredoo Algeria

Persistent economic weakness, intense price competition and currency depreciation impacted Ooredoo Algeria’s financial performance. The company reported revenues of QAR 2.5 billion in 2019 compared to 2.8 billion in 2018, as the Algeria dinar depreciated 2% against the Qatari Riyal during the period. EBITDA was QAR 867 million, down from QAR 1.0 billion in the previous year.

Ooredoo Algeria’s customer base was 12.6 million at the end of 2019. The company continued to strengthen and expand its 4G network by installing 1,400 new technical sites across the country, enabling it to become the first operator in Algeria to cover all 48 wilayas with 4G. Ooredoo Algeria’s market leading network infrastructure is supporting its digital ecosystem, which now encompasses gaming, e-learning, sports and youth content and which is gaining immense popularity among the youth in the country. Ooredoo Algeria’s ‘Haya’ Music app was the leading music streaming service in Algeria in 2019 and won international recognition with the “Bronze Stevie Award.”

Ooredoo Tunisia

Ooredoo Tunisia’s value creation plan enabled the company to deliver a healthy set of results in a challenging market environment. The company’s EBITDA grew by 15% to QAR 682 million in 2019 compared to the previous year, as it continued to focus on optimising costs and driving efficiency across the business. Consequently, EBITDA margin increased to 46% in 2019, a significant improvement from 39% in the previous year.

Revenue declined by 3% to QAR 1.5 billion in 2019 compared to the previous year, mainly due to the depreciation of the Tunisian Dinar, which declined 10% during the year compared to the Qatari Riyal. In local currency terms, Ooredoo Tunisia reported a 7% increase in revenue, supported by the company’s push to drive data usage and convert prepaid customers to higher value post-paid customers. Consequently, Ooredoo Tunisia’s customer base grew by 1% to 9.2 million customers at the end of 2019, reaffirming its position as the number 1 telecom player by customer market share.

Asia

Indosat Ooredoo

Indosat Ooredoo had a robust 2019 as it refreshed its strategy to serve the needs of Indonesia’s evolving telecommunications landscape. The company reported year on year growth of 2% in its customer base to reach 59 million customers, supported by the expansion and improvements to its 4G BTS network and the use of digitisation to enhance its customer experience.

In addition, the company’s strategy to target longer term, higher value customers and reduce churn supported revenue growth of 14% to QAR 6.7 billion in 2019 compared to the previous year, testament that it has the right commercial strategy in place to maximise shareholder value. A more favourable product mix and efficiency improvements across the business contributed to the expansion of Indosat Ooredoo’s EBITDA margin to 43% (2018: 33%) and the increase in EBITDA to QAR 2.9 billion in 2019. Indosat Ooredoo concluded the sale of 3,100 telecommunication towers with a total transaction amount of IDR 6.39 trillion (equivalent to QAR 1,644 million).

Ooredoo Myanmar

Through the careful execution of its digital transformation strategy, Ooredoo Myanmar streamlined operations and improved customer experience. The company grew its customer base by 20% to 11.5 million at the end of 2019 compared to the previous year, supported by the company’s growing digital offering and optimised customer acquisition strategy.

EBITDA increased by 42% to QAR 280 million in 2019 compared to the previous year, mainly due to the positive IFRS 16 impact. EBITDA margin expanded substantially during the year to 26% compared with 16% in 2018. Revenue for 2019 was QAR 1.1 billion, down 16% compared to the previous year. This was due to a 6% depreciation of the local currency, the Myanmar Kyat in 2019 and due to the entrance of the fourth operator, which led to aggressive price competition in the market.

Ooredoo’s FY 2019 financial statements will be available on its website, accessible at: http://www.ooredoo.com.

For further information: Email: IR@ooredoo.com; Follow us on Twitter: @OoredooIR

Ooredoo has announced a brand-new promotion for new customers signing up to its Ooredoo ONE plans with the best deal yet. There’s a host of extra benefits on offer for all new sign-ups. New customers will get a free installation and a free Smart Wi-Fi.

Ooredoo ONE service provides the fastest Internet speeds and the most extensive fiber Internet coverage in Qatar, with smart Wi-Fi provided by Ooredoo’s Smart Wi-Fi. The Smart Wi-Fi easily streams HD films, music, and gaming to more than 50 devices at once, providing the customer with a seamless experience across the entire house with a single Wi-Fi name for everyone. Stable, fast and easy to use. And, of course, they will also get all the best entertainment with Ooredoo ONE; access to STARZ PLAY, beIN Connect or ELITE and/or Doosra according to their plan.

Speaking of the new promotion, Manar Khalifa Al-Muraikhi – Director PR and Corporate Communications at Ooredoo– said: “We’re confident our Ooredoo ONE plans are the best in the market, both in terms of offering and value for money, and this new promotion only adds to the appeal with all the extra benefits. Applying for a new plan, is quick and easy and customers will be enjoying their new services in no time, ensuring we reach our goal of complete customer satisfaction.”

The offer is valid until 13^th May 2020.

Qatar’s leading telecommunications operator, Ooredoo, is set to sponsor an incredible new Cirque du Soleil show dedicated to its global brand ambassador, Lionel Messi.

The Messi 10 – Cirque du Soleil show is set to be performed at the Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena from 27 February until 7 March 2020, presented by Qatar National Tourism Council in collaboration with Alchemy Project Entertainment. Messi 10 tells the mesmerising story of a young man with boundless ambition who overcomes all manner of seemingly insurmountable obstacles to become one of the greatest footballers of his time. The show is an immersive experience skilfully combining classical circus acts such as trampoline, trapeze and tightrope with never-before-seen disciplines, augmented by awe-inspiring audiovisual material and exclusive images highlighting some of Messi’s best plays.

Speaking of the sponsorship, Manar Khalifa Al-Muraikhi – Director PR and Corporate Communications at Ooredoo – said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring this exciting new show, not least because of our longstanding partnership with our global brand ambassador Lionel Messi and the incredible reputation of Cirque du Soleil. We’re committed to supporting events that bring our communities together, and both football and incredible entertainment always draw crowds; we know our customers, and Doha citizens and residents, will be enthralled by this breathtaking show giving them a glimpse into the life of their footballing hero.”

Tickets will be on sale at tixbox.qa.

Ooredoo announced it is to again be Gold Sponsor for the upcoming Al Adaid Desert Challenge, set to take place on Friday, 28 February 2020 in Khor Al Adaid, a UNESCO-recognised nature reserve in the south-east of Qatar.

The annual outdoor one-day challenge – which boasts a reputation for being the toughest off-road mountain bike race in the region - incorporates a 42km mountain bike race and a 30km run, both through soaring sand dunes to reach the finish line. Riders will take on eight soaring sand dunes, with runners crossing five. This year’s event will also include an exciting ‘mtb + run’ event for those who want to challenge themselves in both disciplines.

The 2020 race will start from the same point as previous years – next to the Mawater Sand Dune, opposite the Sealine Beach Resort – but will finish at the brand-new Al Majles resort, meaning one extra sand dune for competitors to cross. The finish line will feature a specially set up finish line camp, where there will be an area for participants to rest and relax after the the race and also a non-competitive kids race so everyone can be involved. Ooredoo will also have a booth there, showcasing its products and services.

The UCI MTB Class-3 event is organised by Qatar Cyclists in association with the Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) and is supported by the Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF), and forms part of the International Cycling Union calendar. Speaking about the event, Moza Khalid Al-Muhannadi, Director of CSR, Sponsorship, and Media, Ooredoo Qatar, said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the 2020 edition of the Al Adaid Desert Challenge, a challenging sporting event known for its tough conditions. Supporting events such as these, which encourage a healthy, active lifestyle, is a key part of our corporate social responsibility strategy. We look forward to an exciting race and some impressive performances from all the participants.”

Ooredoo has today announced that Sabah Rabiah Al-Kuwari (pictured) has been appointed as the new Director of PR for Ooredoo Qatar.

Talking about the decision, Waleed Al-Sayed, Chief Executive Officer, Ooredoo Qatar: “This is a key role for Ooredoo Qatar, as it reflects the image of the company to our people in Qatar and world. I am confident that Sabah will do a great job maintaining and further enhancing our relationship with our customers and communities.” Sabah comes to Ooredoo from the media sector, with 8 years of experience in Al Rayyan TV, 2 of which he was the General Manager of Al Rayyan Satellite Channel. He was also the Acting Manager of Media Department at Qatar Charity.

Sabah holds a Bachelor of Finance & Management from Qatar University, and he received the Award of the young Distinguished Graduate and the Qatar National Prize of Voluntary Work. He is also a graduate of the Qatar Leadership Center (QLC). The appointement of Sabah Rabia Al-Kuwari to the position of Director of Public Relations at Ooredoo Qatar comes as a part of the company’s support for Qatari competencies and the Qatarisation plan, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

Ooredoo maintains a busy and active community relations programme, working with schools and universities to promote technology-enhanced education; supporting a range of programmes to promote healthy lifestyles including the annual Ooredoo Marathon; and engaging with a range of programmes to promote Qatar’s culture and traditions.

Ooredoo held its Annual General Meeting, where shareholders discussed and approved the company’s Corporate Governance Report and financial statements, following confirmation of final year results for 2019.

During the meeting, shareholders approved the recommendation of the Board Of Directors to distribute a cash dividend of QAR 0.25 per share. In his address to the meeting, H.E. Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al-Thani, Chairman of Ooredoo, credited the Group’s considerable progress in the digitalisation of services as a key driver of success in 2019.

H.E. Sheikh Abdulla underscored Ooredoo’s continued commitment to building a better digital future for its customers. “It is evident all our markets have strong demand for data services, and our ongoing commitment to enhancing people’s digital lives with our superior technology and innovation has delivered impressive results for 2019. The significance of data revenue now representing 50% of Group revenue is a clear indication that our strategy of digitalisation continues to be appropriate and effective. Our progress has enabled us to consolidate our position within the global telecommunications market, and we look forward to continuing this progress in 2020,” he said.

Full-year revenues stood at QAR 29.9 billion, bolstered by strong performances in Qatar, Kuwait, Tunisia and Indonesia. Significantly, data revenues represented more than 50% of Group revenues for the first time, a key milestone reflecting the Group’s success in evolving its digital offering for consumers and businesses.

Group EBITDA increased by 5% year-on-year to QAR 12.8 billion, with a corresponding EBITDA margin of 43%, both supported by efficiency programmes and the positive impact of the new IFRS 16 accounting standard. Group Net Profit attributable to Ooredoo shareholders increased by 10% to QAR 1.7 billion. The Group’s customer base rose by 2% to 117 million by year-end, driven by increase in new customers in Indonesia, Myanmar and Kuwait. During 2019, the Group saw significant progress in the execution of its ambitious digital transformation strategy, bringing its core user experience online. Investments in its state-of-the-art networks continued, aimed at supporting the next generation of digital services in each of its markets.

Operational highlights included the live commercial launch of 5G networks in Kuwait, and successful 5G testing in Oman, with excellent 4G expansion progress in emerging markets. A key moment for the Group was the provision of network foundations for one of the largest sporting events in the region – the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 – where Ooredoo Qatar was able to demonstrate the phenomenal capability and potential of its network.One of the most impactful examples of asset portfolio management was Indosat Ooredoo’s Sale and Leaseback Agreements for a batch of 3,100 of its telecommunications towers, unlocking the value of a portion of its tower portfolio which in turn supported further investment.

Ooredoo also continued to be a pioneer in emerging markets, becoming the first company in Algeria to offer 4G services to all 48 provinces, building the fastest mobile network in Myanmar, reconnecting services to the liberated areas in Iraq and achieving the widest 3G coverage in the country, and capturing a strong 4G market leadership position in Tunisia. Reflecting confidence in the Group’s commitment to capital discipline, well-respected agencies including Moody’s Investor Service, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and Fitch Ratings continued to assign strong credit profiles to Ooredoo Group throughout 2019.

During the company’s AGM, the following items were reviewed:

AGM items:

• The Board’s report for the year ended 31 December 2019 was heard and approved, and business plans for 2020 and beyond were discussed. 
• The Corporate Governance Report for 2019 was discussed.
• The External Auditor’s Report for the year ended 31 December 2019 was heard.
• The company’s financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019 were discussed and approved.
• The Compliance report of the QFMA Corporate Governance and Internal Control over Financials Reporting report for the year ended 31 December 2019 was discussed and approved.
• The Board of Directors’ recommendations for the distribution of dividends were discussed and approved.
• Members of the Board were discharged from their liabilities and their remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2019 was determined.
• The external auditor for the year 2020 was appointed and its fee determined.

Ooredoo Q.P.S.C. (“Ooredoo”) – Ticker ORDS - announced the appointment of Sheikh Ali Bin Jabor Al Thani as Acting Group Chief Legal & Regulatory Officer and Mrs. Maryam Mubarak Al-Nasr as Acting Group Chief Human Resources Officer, as of 10 March 2020.

Mrs. Maryam succeeds Mr. Mohanna Nasser Al Nuaimi, who is retiring. She has over 25 years of professional experience and was most recently the Executive Director of Organisation and Talent Development at Ooredoo Group. She holds a degree in Business Administration and an MBA from Qatar University.

Sheikh Ali succeeds Mr. Izzeldin Hamed Hussein, who is retiring. He is Chief of Legal and Regulatory Department for Ooredoo Qatar since 2016, a position he will keep in addition to his new role. Sheikh Ali holds a Bachelor's degree in Law. Sheikh Saud Bin Nasser Al Thani, Group Chief Executive Officer, Ooredoo, said: “I would like to extend my warmest thanks to Mr. Mohanna Nasser Al Nuaimi, who played a key role in developing Ooredoo Group’s HR strategy and operating model, and to Mr. Izzeldin Hamed Hussein for their valuable contributions to our company. I also take this opportunity to congratulate Sheikh Ali Bin Jabor Al Thani and Mrs. Maryam Mubarak Al-Nasr on their new roles and wish them the best of luck.”

Qatar’s leading telecommunications operator has announced its #StayHomeWithOoredoo campaign, featuring a number of offers designed to support customers during the ongoing global COVID-19 outbreak.  

Anticipating a greater need for data and for fast, reliable internet for the many Doha citizens and residents now working from home, home schooling and reducing social contact under guidelines issued by the Qatar government, Ooredoo is offering its customers extra data, faster internet speeds and free Mobile Money remittances. To ensure customers can rely on staying connected during this challenging period, Ooredoo is offering extra data free to its pre- and postpaid customers, while those with Ooredoo home internet can expect faster speeds at no extra cost. Mobile Money customers will also be able to send remittances home for free.

New and existing Qatarna 5G, Shahry 5G and Data SIM 5G customers will get double their data, with the free data being given automatically, while prepaid customers recharging with Hala Data and Flexi will get double their data when using the Ooredoo App to recharge. Customers with Ooredoo ONE connections will get double their internet speed at no extra cost, as well as free access to the Kids/Family package on Ooredoo tv. All free data, faster internet and free entertainment offers are valid from 15 March until 15 April 2020.

Also, customers using Mobile Money to send remittances home will get their transactions for free – with fees being given as cashback – for all remittances sent from 15 March until 31 March 2020. As an initiative to support the Qatar government in its drive to encourage citizens and residents to stay home, Ooredoo has asked all staff to work remotely during this time. However, all services are being provided as normal and the telco leader is fully equipped to cater for all its customers’ needs digitally; at its website, via the Ooredoo App and through its network of Self Service Machines. Customers can get in touch via WhatsApp on 4414 4414, via Live Chat on the Ooredoo App and by calling 111.

Sabah Rabia Al-Kuwari, Director PR at Ooredoo, said of the campaign: “This is an uncertain time for our customers, and we want to do whatever we can to support them while they comply with official guidelines. We expect to see a much higher demand for data, as well as more customers using their home internet, and we’re pleased to be able to offer them extra free data and faster internet speeds to ensure they can get on with their everyday lives as much as possible. Many customers will also be keen to send money home to their families, and being able to do so for free will be a help.”