Ooredoo will roll out the Hayya SIM and a 2022 Gift for visiting fans for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 from November 1, the telecommunications giant announced.
The Hayya SIM cards will be available in physical and e-SIM formats and will offer visitors to Qatar 2022 local minutes, 2022 local SMS and 2022MB data, with the line valid for three days — the most extensive package for an event like World Cup. Ooredoo officials also disclosed that the SIMs could be pre-ordered before arrival in Qatar.
Speaking to the media, Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad bin Nasser Al Thani, Chief Commercial Officer at Ooredoo, stated that the telco company would make between 1.5 to 2 million Hayya SIMs, further highlighting the company’s robust infrastructure.
“This is the biggest provision ever from a telecom company in any such event. But for sure, during the event, some promotions will be announced at the proper time. We are expecting between 1.5 to 2 million physical SIM cards. However, the e-SIM will make our life easier.
“We have known about the World Cup for 12 years, and we have been working closely with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) to ensure that the experience we give the visitors will be seamless and enjoyable,” Sheikh Nasser said.
Visiting fans with a Hayya Card will be able to obtain a Hayya SIM at one of several dispensing machines that will be conveniently available at airports, ports and land borders; in taxis; at metro stations; in hotels and at official FIFA fan accommodations; at Fan Zones; at Ooredoo shops, franchises and dealers and many more. Visitors can also get a Hayya SIM online at the Ooredoo eShop.
Visitors subscribing to their Hayya SIM at the Ooredoo eShop can have the SIM delivered to any location of their choice in Qatar. At the same time, those opting to use an eSIM will receive it via email. eSIMs will be activated as soon as the customer connects to the Ooredoo network, while physical SIM cards can be activated via the Ooredoo App or at the Ooredoo eShop.
Meanwhile, Qatar Tourism COO, Berthold Trenkel, said the product would provide smooth service to visitors beyond the World Cup.
“I’m happy that Ooredoo is supporting the tournament, the Supreme Committee, and of course is doing something of high value for visitors. For me, it’s not just the FIFA World Cup and the duration a visitor is here, it’s about creating a product with a seamless experience when you visit a destination beyond the tournament,” Trenkel said.
Ooredoo’s customers residing in Qatar will enjoy 2022 benefits with prepaid and postpaid customers able to avail a deal called the 2022 Gift. Ooredoo customers need to activate the 2022 Gift offer via the Ooredoo App. In a statement, Ooredoo said it would utilise sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) technology as part of its digital onboarding process to speed up authentication and ensure security.