Ooredoo teams up with MIT Media Lab to drive ICT research and innovation

Telecom operator Ooredoo has joined hands with MIT Media Lab to drive ICT research and innovation.

As a consortium lab member of MIT Media Lab, Ooredoo will enhance innovative thinking developed in the MIT Media Lab, engage with researchers, and access member events to view new MIT research. It will increase its efforts to share intellectual property rights on technology developed through the collaboration.

In the recent years, Ooredoo has supported initiatives to develop a new generation of solar-powered compact base stations, launched a range of mobile value-added services such as mobile money and mobile health, and enabled entrepreneurs and new start-ups through its ICT-related incubation programs.

The MIT Media Lab has more than 70 members in the fields of electronics, entertainment, health, and telecommunications.

Nasser Marafih, group CEO, Ooredoo, said: “Our customers in emerging markets are adopting mobile devices and integrating ICT into every aspect of their daily lives. By joining the MIT Media Lab, we will be able to leverage innovative research and support the development of a larger innovation ecosystem in MENA and Southeast Asia.”