Dr. Eiman Al Ansari Named Manager of ictQATAR Consumer Affairs Department

New Hotline for Telecommunications Consumers Announced

Qatar, Doha (13, December 2011): The Supreme Council for Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR) has announced the appointment of Dr. Eiman Al Ansari as Manager of its recently formed Consumer Affairs Department. Dr. Al Ansari is tasked with ensuring that the licensed service providers protect the rights of telecommunications consumers in Qatar. The new Department will also carry out a range of consumer affairs initiatives to help consumers better understand their rights, and will develop telecoms consumer protection policies and programs where necessary.

"We are all telecoms consumers, and it's important that our voices are heard and our rights are protected. ictQATAR is demonstrating that they are serious about ensuring that telecom consumers in Qatar can exercise their rights to the full by creating this new department within the Regulatory Authority. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as a dedicated voice for consumers and look forward to making ictQATAR's consumers affairs efforts more responsive, efficient and transparent," said Dr. Al Ansari.

Dr. Al Ansari has a keen understanding of Qatar's telecom sector and consumer needs, having previously worked as Head of Corporate and Institutional Affairs at Vodafone-Qatar. She was also previously the Head of the National Development Section at RasGas. Dr. Al Ansari holds a Ph.D. from the University of Bath in Politics and Economics of Education, and has extensive experience in the education sector, serving as an Assistant Professor of Education Science at Qatar University, was seconded to Qatar Foundation as an Academic Member at the Academic Office, and worked in establishing the Supreme Education Council, and joined later as Director of Scholarship and Career Development.

As one of her first initiatives, Dr. Al Ansari announced the establishment of a dedicated hotline for consumers to easily file a telecommunications complaint or issue with ictQATAR. The hotline, the easy to remember 103, is already operational and is managed through ictQATAR's Government Contact Center. It allows consumers to more easily track the complaints they have filed through to resolution. Additionally, ictQATAR will also activate its own Twitter account, @ictQATARvoice, to share information on   consumer issues and actively hear consumer's views through the popular platform.  Formal complaints cannot be addressed on @ictQATARvoice and still should be lodged through the dedicated hotline, email (consumervoice@ictqatar.gov.qa), or online at www.ictQATAR.qa. Consumers must still attempt to resolve complaints with their service providers before filing a formal complaint with ictQATAR. Consumers who are unable to resolve a complaint with their service provider or are not satisfied with the proposed resolution can then file a complaint with ictQATAR.

Since joining ictQATAR, Dr. Al Ansari has established a structure for the new Consumer Affairs Department and is recruiting team members. The department is working to develop a consumer guide and will work with other Regulation Affairs Department on their regular reports on the quality of services provided by licensed telecommunications operators, including network quality, network availability and time to resolve billing complaints. It plans to conduct regular education, awareness and outreach campaigns to assist consumers to better understand their rights and make more informed decisions. In addition, the department will also conduct regular market surveys and research to obtain direct feedback from consumers on customer satisfaction, which will help inform its work.

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ABOUT  ictQATAR
The Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR) connects people to the technologies that enrich their lives, drive economic development and inspire confidence in the future. ictQATAR is entrusted with two primary authorities: as the country's independent and fair regulator of the telecommunications market, and as the government body that nurtures innovative technologies to benefit those who live and work in Qatar.

www.ictQATAR.qa

CONTACT
Communications Executive Director
Brian Wesolowski
T: +974 44995373
F: +974 44995352
M: +974 55004647
email: bwesolowski@ict.gov.qa 

Outreach & Public Awareness Acting Manager
Zakaria Fawzy
T: +974 44995518
F: +974 44995352
M: + 974 66871419
email: zfawzi@ict.gov.qa

© Press Release 2011