Ooredoo Qatar has joined forces with Ericsson to upgrade its mobile charging system. This upgrade will help the telecom operator make better use of its standalone 5G (5G SA) network. Ericsson announced the move on Tuesday, highlighting the new solution’s cloud-native design and advanced capabilities.
The new system uses the latest version of Ericsson Charging. It will run on Ericsson’s Cloud Native Infrastructure (CNIS). This solution follows 3GPP standards for 5G charging and is built to support modern billing needs. It allows telecom companies to charge customers for advanced 5G services in a secure and flexible way.
Flexible Billing for Advanced 5G Services
The charging upgrade will give Ooredoo Qatar more control over how it offers and charges for its services. The system is designed to support new digital services that require fast, stable connections. These include video streaming, cloud gaming, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) apps.
Ooredoo Qatar aims to offer more tailored and innovative services. This will also allow the company to work with new partners and explore new business models.
Sheikh Ali bin Jabor Al Thani, CEO of Ooredoo Qatar, said the move marks a big step forward. “The modernization of our charging system marks a key milestone, unlocking the potential of 5G standalone services, and reinforcing our leadership in next-generation digital experiences,” he said.
What the Upgrade Includes
Ericsson’s cloud-native charging solution is built to handle the demands of 5G SA networks. It uses modern software tools that make it easier to scale and update. Key features include:
- Support for high-speed, low-latency services
- 3GPP-compliant charging functions
- Tools to create and manage new service plans
- Secure billing and real-time data tracking
This is not the first time Ooredoo Qatar has worked with Ericsson to expand its 5G services. Earlier this year, the company selected Ericsson to deploy new RAN (Radio Access Network) and microwave backhaul solutions. These tools help increase 5G coverage and improve data flow between mobile towers and the core network.
Partnership with Nokia for Core Network Upgrade
Also in February 2025, Ooredoo Qatar signed a separate agreement with Nokia. This deal focused on upgrading its core network to fully support 5G SA. With both Ericsson and Nokia involved, Ooredoo is clearly investing heavily in its 5G infrastructure.
This dual approach—upgrading both the radio network and the core charging system—puts Ooredoo in a strong position to lead in digital services across Qatar.
Why This Matters
5G SA networks are different from older mobile networks. They allow for ultra-low latency and high-speed data transfer. But they also require better tools for billing, managing usage, and supporting new digital services.
With Ericsson’s system, Ooredoo can now offer a more personalized and efficient customer experience. This includes dynamic pricing, real-time usage updates, and better support for new devices and apps.
As more users turn to services like 4K video, cloud gaming, and VR, having the right charging system becomes essential. Without it, telcos may struggle to profit from their 5G networks.
What Comes Next?
Ooredoo Qatar is expected to continue investing in 5G-related upgrades. As the global demand for advanced mobile services grows, having a flexible and scalable network becomes a key advantage.
The company’s work with Ericsson and Nokia shows a clear strategy: prepare for the future of digital services. With strong network tools in place, Ooredoo is set to offer faster, smarter, and more secure services to its users.
