Nawras selects Huawei for network modernisation project and managed services
Muscat, 29 April 2012 – Nawras, Oman’s customer friendly communications provider, has announced that following a comprehensive tender process, Huawei has been selected as the preferred bidder for network modernisation and managed services. The concerned parties have signed a Letter of Intent to that effect.
Nawras customers will benefit from improved service speed and quality thereby enhancing the customer experience on every level. This significant milestone marks the beginning of a powerful new radio technology.
Huawei has considerable experience gained from building commercialised LTE networks for many of the world’s leading telcos, including the world’s first and fastest LTE network.
The ultimate agreement will have Huawei providing Nawras’ Radio Access Network (RAN) and undertaking a modernisation of the RAN so that it is optimally designed to accommodate anticipated developments including the launch of LTE (Long Term Evolution). Separately, the parties intend to sign an agreement covering managed services for both the fixed and mobile networks, which will advance efficiency further.
Final details of the contract are still to be negotiated. Capital expenditure on the upgraded radio network and related transmission equipment is anticipated to amount to a total investment of high double-digit million Omani Rials over the next three years.
About Nawras:
Omani Qatari Telecommunications Company SAOG was founded and registered in the Sultanate of Oman in December 2004. It launched its service in March 2005 as the challenger mobile operator in Oman operating under the name Nawras. Nawras was awarded the second fixed licence in Oman in 2009, and launched its international gateway in April 2010, its corporate fixed and broadband services in May 2010, and its residential fixed and broadband services in June 2010. Since 2010 Nawras has been an integrated services telecommunications operator and is currently serving around 2 million customers across the Sultanate. Following a successful IPO, Nawras is listed on the Muscat Stock Market (MSM) under the “nwrs” ticker since 1 November 2010. Nawras is majority owned by the Qtel Group and also has a number of significant Omani shareholders which ensures that the company is strongly integrated into the Omani society. Nawras has won a number of awards including Customer Service Excellence Award in Telecom Sector 2012 from Oman Customer Care Conference, Innovation in HR Strategy 2011 from Asia’s Best Employer Brand Awards, Outstanding Leader from TMT Finance Middle East 2011, Best IPO in the Middle East from emeafinance magazine and Strategic Leadership Award from Global HR Excellence Awards 2011.
About Qtel Group:
The Qtel Group is a leading international communications company, with a significant presence in the MENA region and Southeast Asia, and having a consolidated customer base of 83.4 million as of December 2011. It operates a portfolio of brands including Qtel, Indosat, Asiacell, Wataniya, Nawras, Nedjma and Tunisiana.
The Qtel Group’s principle activities are mobile telephone services, broadband solutions, digital futures and fibre technologies, serving both consumer and business markets. Headquartered in Doha, Qatar, Qtel Group is ambitiously growing its global business on the basis of its insights into the needs of customers in emerging markets. Qtel Group’s ultimate parent company is Qatar Telecom (Qtel) Q.S.C., whose shares are listed on the Qatar Exchange and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.
