Ooredoo Qatar has chosen Nokia to modernise its core network, enhancing service capabilities through network slicing, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) integration. This upgrade aims to improve network performance, reliability and the overall customer experience while enabling more advanced digital services.

The modernisation initiative will accelerate Ooredoo Qatar’s network evolution, allowing the company to maximise the value of its infrastructure and explore new business models and revenue opportunities in both consumer and enterprise segments.

Sheikh Ali Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chief Executive Officer at Ooredoo Qatar, said: “Our vision is about enriching people’s digital lives and taking this important step with Nokia, of moving to a 5G standalone core network, supports our group-wide project initiatives of evolving our network operations with new digital capabilities and business models that strengthen the customer and enterprise experience.”

The agreement includes Nokia’s 5G voice core, packet core and subscriber data management solutions, which will provide ultra-low latency, high-bandwidth connectivity, and multi-access edge computing. These features are crucial for supporting real-time industrial automation and delivering high-quality gaming experiences at scale.

Nokia’s core solutions will also allow Ooredoo Qatar to efficiently manage a multi-vendor network environment and create thousands of virtual networks, or “slices,” on a single physical infrastructure. Each slice will be optimised for different applications, services and customer needs, ensuring tailored experiences across a range of digital services.

Raghav Sahgal, President of Cloud and Network Services at Nokia, added: “As a leading operator in the Middle East, Ooredoo Qatar continues to drive transformation projects that meet its customers’ evolving digital needs. We are delighted to grow Nokia’s strong partnership with Ooredoo Qatar by providing our flexible 5G standalone Core capabilities and supporting the operator’s multi-level network requirements.”

Ooredoo Qatar will also use Nokia’s MantaRay NM solution for a consolidated and automated network view that optimises network monitoring and management.

The deal includes the rollout of the Nokia Data Center Fabric solution, which enables data centres and cloud environments to easily scale, adapt and operate. As part of the solution, Nokia’s 7220 Interconnect Router (IXR) system will be deployed, allowing Ooredoo Qatar to provide its services at higher efficiency, reduced energy consumption and increased capacity.

Nokia had the most 5G Standalone Core communication service provider customers, with 123 in total, at the end of 2024.