Vodafone aids Microsoft in Qatar data-centre launch

  • September 21, 2022
  • Steve Rogerson

Vodafone is Microsoft’s official technology provider for its Qatar cloud data-centre region, launched in Doha at the end of last month.

The data-centre region delivers hundreds of scalable, available and resilient cloud services that empower government entities, organisations, public and private enterprises, and developers to accelerate their digital transformation. It connects Qatar to the largest cloud infrastructure network in the world, providing growth and scale for Microsoft customers and partners in the country.

During the launch event, Vodafone showed its latest range of IoT technologies that have been built on Microsoft Azure and take advantage of its capabilities. These include its IoT fleet management and asset tracking, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency for a whole range of sectors, such as businesses in construction, transport and logistics as well as SMEs.

“Through our longstanding partnership with Microsoft, we are proud to be part of such an important event for the technology sector in our market and the wider region, in advancing enterprise cloud adoption and Industry 4.0 use cases,” said Mahday Al Hebabi, business unit director at Vodafone Qatar. “Similar to Microsoft, innovation lies at the heart of our business, and together we can deliver cutting-edge technologies and exciting opportunities for businesses to drive economic growth, develop our workforces and support the development of Qatar as a hub for innovation in a global context.”

The Microsoft cloud data-centre region delivers opportunities for Microsoft partner ecosystem to unlock revenue streams, innovate and drive digital transformation for customers across organisations and industries in Qatar.

“Microsoft has more data-centre regions than any other cloud provider and we are proud to deliver the first hyperscale cloud data-centre region to Qatar,” said Ralph Haupter, president of Microsoft in Emea. “This development will increase opportunities for organisations of all sizes and across all sectors to leverage our trusted cloud to innovate, better serve their customers and achieve their business goals, ultimately supporting continued economic growth that benefits all residents.”

According to the 2022 IDC Microsoft Cloud Dividend Snapshot, for every $1 of Microsoft cloud-generated revenue, the partner ecosystem is expected to generate $7.87 by 2026, up from $6.41 by 2023.

The partnership between Vodafone and Microsoft aims to promote the development of innovations that contribute to the digital transformation of the local market.

Vodafone Qatar provides services including voice, messaging, data, fixed communications, IoT and ICT managed services for consumers and businesses. The company commenced commercial operations in 2009 and has two million mobile customers. Its network infrastructure is expanding to cover key locations in the country with fibre connectivity and 5G, along with a digital ecosystem.