Qatar boosts online services to discourage crowds outdoors

Qatar boosts online services to discourage crowds outdoors

As the State of Qatar copes with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), both private and public sectors boost online services in order to discourage citizens from going outside.

For instance, Ooredoo launches its #StayHomeWithOoredoo campaign to cooperate with worldwide efforts to combat the ongoing global outbreak. Now that citizens are urged to stay home rather than head out in public, there is a greater need for fast and reliable Internet connections and mobile data. Citizens are now working from home or homeschooling to reduce social contact. Ooredoo is doing its part by ensuring that everyone has more than enough data to use during this time. It is offering extra data and faster speeds for free, regardless if the user is a prepaid or postpaid customer. For Mobile Money customers, the company will also provide remittances services for free.

According to Sabah Rabia a-Kuwari, director of PR at Ooredoo, “This is an uncertain time for our customers, and we want to do whatever we can to support them while they comply with official guidelines. We expect to see a much higher demand for data, as well as more customers using their home Internet, and we’re pleased to be able to offer them extra free data and faster Internet speeds to ensure they can get on with their everyday lives as much as possible. Many customers will also be keen to send money home to their families, and being able to do so for free will be a help.”

At the same time, Kahramaa is encouraging its customers to use online services for now as well. This is in line with preventing people from visiting physical offices around the country.

The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) is appealing to customers to cooperate with the efforts of the Qatari government to keep the virus in check.

“Customer relationship management system provides a distinct experience throughout the subscriber’s journey with Kahramaa starting from registering with the corporation through the operations and procedures until the issuance of the bill and collection,” said Engineer Mohamed Mubarak al-Badr, head of Systems Development Section at Kahramaa.

Furthermore, the Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) is also urging its customers to bank safely and remotely. Both the Personal and Corporate Internet banking and the mobile application platforms can help to limit the need to visit a branch outside people’s homes. The 24/7 customer service call centre will remain operational.

“In order to protect our customers and employees during this medical crisis, we strongly urge all of our customers to use our mobile application and online platforms to fulfil their daily banking needs remotely,” QIB Group CEO Bassel Gamal said. “Our bank has continuously invested in upgrading our online platforms to ensure our customers have an easy, secure and convenient banking experience, that doesn’t require a branch visit. As a socially responsible organisation and to support the country’s efforts, we are also creating awareness to our customers and employees on how to protect themselves. A key measure to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease is to transact through remote, digital channels and limit customer and employee physical contact.”