Ooredoo Celebrates 20 Years of Connection with Heartwarming TV Commercial Tribute

Ooredoo Maldives has unveiled a touching new television commercial that pays tribute to an older advert from 12 years ago, then under the name Wataniya. The campaign celebrates the company’s journey in transforming connectivity in the Maldives, but also the enduring emotional bonds made possible through its network.

The ad revisits a familiar face: Hawwa, the woman who, years ago, famously planned her sister’s wedding entirely through phone calls in a previous advertisement. This time, viewers are reintroduced to an older Hawwa at the harbour, holding both a classic bathi phone and a modern smartphone—a nod to the evolution of communication over the years. The voiceover reflects on how waiting for loved ones at the harbour has long been part of Hawwa’s life.

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The commercial then follows Hawwa’s story through the years. Her husband, a seaman often away from home, gifts her a SIM card and a phone before one of his departures. That simple gesture becomes the foundation of their long-distance connection. With Ooredoo’s nationwide network, the couple finds comfort and companionship across distances. 

“I won’t be lonely anymore now, right?” Hawwa asks when she receives the gift. 

“You won’t ever be lonely when I’m around,” her husband replies, a phrase that becomes a recurring promise in their relationship.

As the years pass, the advert shows how the couple continues to stay in touch, sharing updates, reassurances, and daily life, no matter where he is at sea. From video calls to voice notes, the Ooredoo numbers become a lifeline of love, connection, and continuity. Their daughter grows up and eventually marries, prompting another tender moment: “Our Eshu got married too, huh?” the father remarks. “Looks like I’m going to be lonely again,” Hawwa jokes. But her husband gently sends a text message, echoing their lifelong phrase: “You won’t ever be lonely when I’m around.”

The emotional climax comes as their son-in-law, also a traveller, returns home. The family reunites, and the next generation takes up the familiar refrain. When Eshu expresses how much she misses her own husband, her partner comforts her with the same words once spoken by her father: “You won’t ever be lonely when I’m around.”

Throughout the advert, Ooredoo is portrayed not just as a telecom provider, but as a steadfast partner in helping Maldivians live a full and connected life. With its reliable network, affordable add-ons, and commitment to unlimited access, Ooredoo enables families to stay close—no matter the time, distance, or technology.

Closing with the tagline “Live Unlimited. 20 years together, life’s good,” the commercial is a powerful reminder of how a single number, and a trusted connection, can carry love across generations.