Ooredoo Chair Urges Telecoms Operator to Spread Broadband

Ooredoo Chairman, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al Thani, has called on the global communications industry to ensure that it provides more people with broadband internet access.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World event in Bangkok, Thailand, Sheikh Abdullah urged operators to work together to lower mobile broadband costs and improve network access globally.
“Our industry has two major challenges in the upcoming period. We need to make sure that the benefits of mobile broadband technology are available to as many people as possible. We need to work together with governments, operators and device manufacturers to boost affordability, improve network access and improve the customer experience,” said Sheikh Abdullah.
“At the same time, we need to do a better job of shaping the future, rather than responding to it. We need to be active investors in new ideas, new thinking and new approaches that will help our customers in their daily lives,” he added.
His views were echoed by Ooredoo CEO Dr Nasser Marafih, who spoke on a panelwhich included experts such as Dr Hamadoun Toure, Secretary General, ITU, Jon Fredrik Baksaas, CEO, Telenor Group and Captain Anudith Nakornthap, minister for information and communication technology for Thailand.
Mobile broadband is the fastest-growing technology in history with global subscriptions growing 30 percent per year, according to the ITU.
“We are supporting this growth across our footprint and see strong opportunity in Asia, where a large proportion of the population will first access the internet through mobile devices.
“There is a need for new networks, increased availability of low-cost devices and better government understanding on issues around regulation and license,” said Dr Marafih.
The three-day event’s topic for discussion this year was ‘Embracing Change in a Digital World’.