Ooredoo Qatar is turning to small cells to enhance coverage of its 3G and LTE networks in urban areas.
Nokia Networks will install its 3G and 4G small cells base stations in “high-traffic” areas across the capital Doha, including the historic Souq Waqif district.
Small cells will also be placed in “strategic locations” both indoors and outside, such as cafés and restaurant terraces. The installations aim to boost the coverage and capacity of Ooredoo’s network, as well as improve network availability and cut latency.
Ooredoo customers will receive better voice and data services as a result, Nokia said.
The contract follows a field trial conducted by Finland-based Nokia and Ooredoo targeting “complex” hotspots in Qatar.
Waleed Al Sayed, Chief Operating Officer of Ooredoo Qatar, said: “Our customers demand high-quality services, even in complex hotspots and crowded urban zones. Nokia Networks small cells will enable us to provide just that: more capacity, higher availability and reduced latency.
“We chose Nokia Networks because the company proved that it can ensure the best network performance.”
Nokia was previously enlisted by Ooredoo Qatar to launch the operator’s LTE-A network.
The vendor also supplied Centralised RAN technology to the operator during the ITU Telecom World in Qatar, where Nokia and Ooredoo additionally trialled high-speed LTE TDD/ FDD carrier aggregation alongside China Mobile.
Bernard Najm, VP and Head of Middle East and Africa, Nokia Networks, said: “This deal marks an important step forward in our longstanding partnership with Ooredoo Qatar, an operator intensely focused on delivering top quality services to its customers.”