The Maldives is an archipelago of 26 atolls, made up of 1,192 coral islands, located in the Indian Ocean. This geography presents unique challenges for the provision of technology and telecommunication services, due to the wide dispersal of the population across many islands. The Maldives has a population of approximately 540,000, concentrated mainly in the capital city, Malé. In terms of telecommunication services, the Maldives has two main providers, Dhiraagu and Ooredoo Maldives, offering a range of services including fixed line, mobile and broadband. Despite the geographical challenges, the country has a high rate of mobile penetration, and the internet penetration rate is around 63% (2022). The Maldives is also investing in renewable energy solutions, in part due to its vulnerability to climate change, with solar power projects underway on several islands. Infrastructure innovation is seen in solutions such as submarine cables to connect the islands and the use of satellite technology for remote areas. Despite the geographical challenges, the technology and telecommunications sectors are relatively mature in the Maldives, but the renewable energy sector is still in the development phase.
Mobile Network Operators
The are 2 companies operating mobile networks in this region.
Ooredoo Maldives is a subsidiary of the Qatari multinational telecommunications company, Ooredoo QSC. The parent company, headquartered in Doha, was established in 1987 and has since grown into a global business within the telecommunications industry, operating in ten countries across the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. The Maldivian branch is part of this network, providing telecommunications services within the Maldives.
The parent company, Ooredoo QSC, is publicly traded on the Qatar Stock Exchange and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. Its ownership includes members of the...