Ooredoo powers FIFA World Cup transport buses with connectivity

Telco Leader to Ensure Seamless, Reliable Internet with Connectivity Aboard Hundreds of Transport Buses During FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™

Ooredoo – Official Middle East & Africa Telecommunications Operator of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – has announced it is to supply connectivity for more than 350 official FIFA event buses during the tournament.

Ooredoo will make available its managed Wi-Fi along with mobile broadband to ensure seamless, reliable internet access, so players, FIFA officials and media representatives can stay connected even while travelling to and from tournament venues.

News of the connectivity provision was shared at a press conference held at Ooredoo Tower on 19 October 2022, attended by Colin Smith, FIFA Chief Operating Officer World Cup and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Managing Director and Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Bin Nasser Al Thani, Chief Commercial Officer at Ooredoo.

The telco leader will provide connectivity for more than 350 buses via mobile broadband, while 300 of these buses will also offer transportation-grade managed Wi-Fi services. These Wi-Fi services will be monitored and managed in real-time utilising systems hosted in the Ooredoo Qatar Data Centre.

Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Bin Nasser Al Thani, Chief Commercial Officer at Ooredoo, said: “Our strategic commitment to investment in innovation, and to partnering with world-leading technology providers, stands us in excellent stead as we step up to provide our state-of-the-art products and services to this phenomenal event. Players and FIFA officials need to stay connected to ensure smooth running of the tournament and associated events, and our media partners need to be able to share the event with the world, no matter where they are. We’re proud that our investment in innovation and technology, and our vast experience and expertise, will make sure they can.”

Colin Smith, FIFA Chief Operating Officer World Cup and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Managing Director, said: “Ooredoo has been a trusted commercial partner of FIFA for the past three years, sponsoring the FIFA Club World Cup in 2019 and 2020, the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 and, of course, the FIFA World Cup™, as the Official Telecommunications Operator for the Middle East & Africa region. Today we are happy to announce that Ooredoo will supply their award-winning Wi-Fi services to 356 buses of the FIFA World Cup, to service and accommodate the connectivity needs of important stakeholders, such as the participating member associations, referees, VIP guests and global media for a two-month period until the end of the tournament. This key operation that has been in the works for the past six months will serve to showcase the meaningful and innovative collaborations FIFA has built with strong players in the Host Country, as well as contributing significantly to making the event the best and most connected World Cup ever.’’

Ooredoo will use technology such as Quick Response codes to ensure fast, easy and efficient access to Wi-Fi on boarding each bus.

Powering the buses with mobile broadband and managed Wi-Fi will ensure connectivity for players and FIFA officials, while media representatives will be able to upload files and video content and share broadcasts even when travelling between venues.

Ooredoo’s efforts enabled Qatar to become the first country in the world to operate a commercial 5G network in 2018, with the company testing 5G broadband in moving vehicles shortly after. Its ongoing transformation journey is testament to its commitment to supporting the country as it works to achieve the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, including digital transformation and development into a truly smart nation.

CT Bureau