Doha, June 30, 2009: wi-tribe, a Qtel GroupQtel Group company, today announced the official launch of its wireless broadband service in Pakistan, its largest market to date. The launch phase will include the cities of Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.

"Today, a new milestone is achieved in the evolution of wi-tribe and the realization of our vision to become one of the top 20 telecom players by 2020," said Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al-Thani, Chairman of The Qtel GroupQtel Group. "Following our launch in Jordan, Pakistan marks a major stepping stone towards our expansion strategy and our intention to leverage the scale and strengths of The Qtel GroupQtel Group in order to deliver the latest technologies to our customers and continue to enhance services across our operations," added Sheikh Abdullah."

Dr. Nasser Marafih, CEO of The Qtel GroupQtel Group and Chairman of wi-tribe, commented: "Consumer broadband is at the heart of the Qtel GroupQtel Group strategy and a major pillar of growth. The launch of wi-tribe in Pakistan is a very important moment for all of us at The Qtel GroupQtel Group as it reflects a major stepping stone towards our commitment to bring broadband wireless access to more people, to connect individuals and businesses more easily and to improve access to the internet in all new and emerging markets.

"Broadband penetration levels in new emerging markets are currently very low compared to markets in the region. However, consumer demand for wireless services is growing at a fast pace. So we will continue to focus on this area in the future as we see good business opportunity and significant growth potential," added Dr. Nasser.

Shaikh Abdulrahman Ali Al Turki, Chairman and CEO of A.A. Turki GroupA.A. Turki Group of companies (ATCO), commended on the growth and success achieved by the wi-tribe group stating, "At ATCO we are extremely pleased with wi-tribe's developments since its establishment in 2007. The addition of Pakistan to our tribe is proof of our firm commitment to bridge the digital divide and bring to emerging markets the best in connectivity and ease of access. It is about time these markets got excellent quality service."

"wi-tribe uses WiMAX technology to provide customers with the advantage of broadband internet access wirelessly, giving them the option of accessing the internet whenever and wherever they choose within the network area," commented Sami Hinedi, CEO, wi-tribe Group. "We strongly believe in improving the lifestyle of our customers by understanding their needs and offering them the best personalized customer experience. We want to provide solutions that are simple, easy and valued by individuals, businesses and the Government," he added.

wi-tribe is a focused and dedicated consumer wireless broadband provider and will offer instant connectivity with applications tailor-made and simplified to accommodate the needs of every customer. The wi-tribe service will deliver broadband internet access through the 'plug in and play' option offering speeds of 256Kbps, 512 Mbps, and 1 Mbps. The process of becoming a wi-triber is extremely simple and beneficial. The wi-tribe service uses an efficient and highly effective plug and play modem which provides online access on the go. Internet users in Pakistan will experience the best in consumer wireless broadband service and wi-tribe's unique customer care experience.

The wi-tribe group was founded in April 2007 by two shareholders, QtelQtel (Q.S.C.), and A.A. Turki Corporate Trading and Construction (ATCOA.A. Turki Corporate Trading and Construction (ATCO), with strong partnership with Clearwire, one of the world's leading wireless broadband service providers. Wi-tribe intends to leverage The Qtel GroupQtel Group's regional operating experience and multinational footprint, ATCO's network of investors and Clearwire's broadband wireless experience to extend wireless broadband services to the masses. Wi-tribe is focused on delivering excellent network quality and services in targeted areas, mainly for residential, small office/home office customers, and developing a strong platform for distribution of broadband content.

-Ends-

About The wi-tribe Group
wi-tribe, a Qtel GroupQtel Group Company, was established in 2007 by two shareholders, QtelQtel (Q.S.C.), and A.A. Turki Corporate Trading and Construction (ATCOA.A. Turki Corporate Trading and Construction (ATCO), with strong partnership with Clearwire, one of the world's leading wireless broadband service providers. wi-tribe is a focused, reliable and ethical consumer wireless broadband provider which aims to create value for broadband in emerging markets by simplifying technology and offering services that will enrich the lives of its customers. In 2008, operations were launched in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and in 2009 the Islamic Republic of Pakistan joined the tribe.

About The Qtel GroupQtel Group
Based in Qatar, The Qtel GroupQtel Group is a diversified telecommunications group with three business lines including consumer telephony, consumer broadband and corporate managed services. It is committed to expansion in line with its strategic vision of becoming a global top 20 telecommunications provider by the year 2020. Over the past three years, Qtel GroupQtel Group has built a successful track record of acquisitions hence expanding its geographic footprint from 2 to 17 countries within the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, connecting more than 55 million customers.

For further information please contact
Talal Eid, PR & Communicaitons Director - The Qtel GroupQtel Group at teid@qtel.com.qa, +974 587 1439.

Aziz Louksah - TBWA/RAAD/PR at aziz.louksah@tbwaraad.com, +974 5736001

© Press Release 2009

 

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