08 June 2019: Vodafone and ESL, the world’s largest esports company, have launched the Vodafone 5G ESL Mobile Open – a mobile gaming tournament with the first Grand Final in competitive international eSports to be played live over a 5G network.
The Vodafone 5G ESL Mobile Open is open to players from 17 countries where Vodafone is present that includes Qatar. The competition features the popular online mobile game: arcade racer Asphalt 9: Legends.
Online qualifiers for Asphalt 9: Legends will take place in a series of eight separate week-long cups scheduled from 10 June to 1 September 2019. Qualification will be based on ‘fastest time wins’, with four qualifying cup events open for players using either iOS or Android devices. The best players from each weekly cup will qualify to participate in the Grand Final at Milan Games Week on 28 September 2019.
Asphalt 9: Legends online qualifying dates
10 – 16 June 2019 Cup 1– iOS
24 – 30 June 2019 Cup 2– Android
8 – 14 July 2019 Cup 3– iOS
22 – 28 July 2019 Cup 4– Android
29 July – 4 Aug 2019 Cup 5– iOS
5 – 11 August 2019 Cup 6– Android
12 – 18 August 2019 Cup 7– iOS
26 Aug – 1 Sept 2019 Cup 8– Android
The Grand Finals will be contested live only on Vodafone’s 5G network, providing a major showcase of Vodafone’s high-speed, real-time 5G network for gaming.
There is a total prize fund of €165,000 for all placing Vodafone 5G ESL Mobile One live finalists, including a top prize of €14,000 for the winning Asphalt 9: Legends player.
Vodafone Qatar’s Chief Operating Officer Diego Camberos said, “The Vodafone 5G ESL Mobile Open is the perfect opportunity to show millions of gaming fans the potential of Vodafone’s real-time 5G network with low latency and ultra-high speeds enabling players to reach new levels of gaming performance on mobile devices anywhere. Interest and participation in esports is growing exponentially and Qatar is no exception with 1.5 million gamers. Vodafone Qatar’s 5G network is rapidly being deployed so we’re excited for Qatar’s gamers to start enjoying the 5G experience.”
Players can sign up for online qualifiers via the official website which will also provide more information about the tournament, leader boards, highlights and commentator clips, videos and on-the-ground coverage and schedules for ESL One and gamescom.
Since switching on its 5G network in August last year and receiving the spectrum license to operate 5G commercially, Vodafone Qatar has already deployed 5G in dozens of locations across the country including Al Waab, Abu Hamour, Al Azizya, Al Mamoura, Al Rayyan, Katara Cultural Village, Salwa Road, Souq Waqif and Umm Salal Muhammed.
The Company has also marked several 5G milestones- recently Vodafone Qatar became the first in the region to make highly anticipated 5G smartphones available to its customers. In April this year, it made 5G technology commercially available to its customers with the launch of - Vodafone GigaHome- the latest innovation in home internet solutions. Vodafone Qatar was also the first to make a live local and international 5G calls using a 5G handset in the region.
About ESL
ESL is the world’s largest esports company. Founded in 2000, ESL has been shaping the industry across the most popular video games with numerous online and offline competitions. It operates high profile, branded international leagues and tournaments such as ESL One, Intel® Extreme Masters, ESL Pro League and other top tier stadium-size events, as well as ESL National Championships, grassroots amateur cups and matchmaking systems, defining the path from zero to hero as short as possible. With offices all over the world, ESL is leading esports forward on a global scale. ESL is a part of MTG, the leading international digital entertainment group (about.eslgaming.com).
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About Vodafone Qatar P.Q.S.C
Vodafone Qatar P.Q.S.C. ("Vodafone Qatar") provides a comprehensive range of services including voice, messaging, data, fixed communications, IoT and ICT managed services in the State of Qatar, for both consumers and businesses alike. The Company commenced commercial operations in 2009 and has 1.74 million customers as of 31 December 2019. Its state-of-the-art network infrastructure is expanding to cover key locations in the country with fibre connectivity and 5G, along with an extensive digital ecosystem, which will contribute to Qatar's continued growth and prosperity. Vodafone Qatar’s vision is deeply rooted in its mission to connect today’s ideas with the technologies of tomorrow by pioneering digital innovation and becoming people’s first choice in telecom and digital services. Please visit www.vodafone.qa for more details.
For press enquiries, please contact:
Lana Khachan
Head of Communications, Vodafone Qatar
E-mail: lana.khachan@vodafone.qa
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E-mail: investorrelationsqatar@vodafone.qa