Muscat, 6 July 2013 - In another market first from Nawras, customers can now conveniently recharge their account by using a new app on their mobile phone to scan the barcode on a recharge card. Using any Android smartphone, customers can recharge or pay their bill easily without needing to manually enter the 14 digit recharge code.

"The new recharge cards feature a barcode that can be scanned by the customer using their mobile handset and our new Nawras recharge app. We are the first communications provider in Oman to use this method which has been developed especially for us by an Omani company. We are delighted to be using innovative ideas to provide more creative and convenient solutions for our customers," commented Ammar Al-Lawati, Nawras Senior Product Manager - Finance.

Developer of the new application, Mohammed Tabook, from Al-Mashreq Engineering Services Co. LLC, said, "We have created this app to make recharging with Nawras easier and faster. Incorporating the barcode into the range of recharge options from Nawras allows customers to enjoy immediate access to their Nawras account in a way that fits in with their smartphone usage. Here we use the technology to provide a vital service in a convenient way as Nawras embraces the latest technology to provide customers with even more accessible payment options."

Each recharge card features two barcodes, customers can scan the code located on the front of each card to automatically download the app to their Android device and use the code on the back of the card to recharge or make a bill payment. The app also allows customers to check their balance as well as transfer the scanned number to someone else in their phone book. An initial trial period for Android devices is expected to lead to versions for iPhone, BlackBerry and other platforms being  developed later, based on customer feedback.

Nawras prepaid customers can also access the online portal MyNawras through their Facebook account to buy credit. Other recharge methods include Nawras self-service machines, recharge cards, electronic vouchers, credit transfer and OIFC self-service machines.

Full details of all products and services from Oman's customer friendly communications provider can be seen on the company's website at www.nawras.om.

-Ends-

Nawras:
Omani Qatari Telecommunications Company SAOG was founded and registered in the Sultanate of Oman in December 2004. It launched its service in March 2005 as the challenger mobile operator in Oman operating under the name Nawras. Nawras was awarded the second fixed licence in Oman in 2009, and launched its international gateway in April 2010, its corporate fixed and broadband services in May 2010, and its residential fixed and broadband services in June 2010. Since 2010, Nawras has been an integrated services telecommunications operator and is currently serving around 2 million customers across the Sultanate. Following a successful IPO, Nawras is listed on the Muscat Stock Market (MSM) under the "nwrs" ticker since 1 November 2010.  Nawras is majority owned by Ooredoo, formerly known as Qtel Group, and also has a number of significant Omani shareholders which ensures that the company is strongly integrated into the Omani society. Nawras has won a number of awards including Jury's Distinction Award for Customer Service Excellence in the telecom sector 2013, Innovation in HR Strategy 2011 from Asia's Best Employer Brand Awards, Outstanding Leader from TMT Finance Middle East 2011, Best IPO in the Middle East from emeafinance magazine and Strategic Leadership Award from Global HR Excellence Awards 2011.

About Ooredoo:
Ooredoo, formerly known as Qtel Group, is a leading international communications company delivering mobile, fixed, broadband internet and corporate managed services tailored to the needs of consumers and businesses across markets in the Middle East, North Africa and South-East Asia. As a community-focused company, Ooredoo is guided by its vision of enriching people's lives and its belief that it can stimulate human growth by leveraging communications to help people achieve their full potential. Ooredoo has a presence in markets such as Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Palestine, the Maldives and Indonesia. The company reported annual revenues of $9.3 billion U.S. dollars and had a consolidated global customer base of more than 92 million people as of 31 December 2012. Ooredoo's shares are listed on the Qatar Exchange and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.

© Press Release 2013