Ooredoo, Qatar’s leading telecom company, has announced the launch of the first commercial 3G network in Algeria.

Within hours of receiving final regulatory approval, Ooredoo Algeria (formerly known as Nedjma) launched commercial 3G services for millions of customers in ten major cities across the country, with coverage in Algiers, Constantine, Oran, Ouargla, Sétif, Djelfa and exclusively in Béjaia, Chlef, Bouira and Ghardaïa, said a statement from the company .

The others who won the 3G licence are Algeria Telecom-owned Mobilis and Vimpelcom's Djezzy unit.

Ooredoo celebrated the 3G network launch this week in line with the company's strategy to deliver the fastest and best network experience for customers across its global footprint.

The 3G network enables customers to experience the fastest mobile broadband in Algeria, at no additional cost. Customers can access the 3G network by obtaining a second 3G-enabled number for free from Ooredoo, and adding it to their existing SIM card, said the Qatari company.

With the new 3G network, customers can access a new world of services such as video calls, high-speed internet surfing, application downloads, video/music streaming and much more, it added.

Group CEO Dr Nasser Marafih said: “With this week’s successful launch of 3G services in Algeria, we aim to enrich the lives of people by bringing them the fastest and most reliable mobile broadband service ever offered in the country. I congratulate the team for the speed and professionalism of this roll-out, which reflects our commitment to deliver an incredible level of service to customers around the world.”

Joseph Ged, the CEO of Ooredoo Algeria, said: "We’re proud to say that our 3G network went live within 10 days of finalising the licensing process and within twelve hours of receiving final approval from the regulator. Ooredoo has launched the first commercial 3G service in Algeria, delivering a historic moment of technological benefit for the people of our country and contributing to the development of a knowledge-based economy for all.”

By enabling customers to use their original SIM card to access 3G services, at the existing rates for 2G services, Ooredoo is ensuring that 3G is widely available to as many people as possible, supporting its vision of broadband access for all in Algeria, he noted.

Ooredoo now offers customers a range of weekly, monthly and special mobile Internet packages, including a new “Unlimited Internet data offer”, the first of its kind in Algeria. More special packages will be made available in the weeks ahead. The company is also working hard to expand the 3G network further across Algeria, to provide a seamless network and enhance mobile Internet access.

In addition to Algeria, Ooredoo has rolled-out a nationwide 3G network in Tunisia in 2013, along with providing cutting-edge 4G services in Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and the Maldives.

Ooredoo Algeria has also launched a range of services and initiatives to support human growth and development across its footprint, said Ged.

"Young Algerians interested in becoming part of the mobile content industry can enter Ooredoo Algeria’s "iStart" program, launched in partnership with the national agency for development of SMES (ANDPME), which aims to encourage young talent," he noted.

The initiative is one of a series of programmes supported by Ooredoo across its footprint to enable more young people to enhance their life opportunities, through employment and educational development, added Ged.-TradeArabia News Service