Qnbn Presses Ahead with Cutting-Edge Infrastructure Roll-out

Qnbn powers Vodafone's recently launched Al-Safwacenter providing incredible internet speed to customers

Doha, Qatar 10 June 2013: Qatar National Broadband Network (Qnbn) is strongly pressing ahead with the roll-out of its cutting-edge infrastructure powering Vodafone's (Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C.) state-of-the-art Al-Safwa center located at the heart of Doha's West Bay business district inthe prestigious Alfardan Towers. This milestone underpins Qnbn's steadfast efforts to deploy world-class fiber optics broadband network across the nation enabling Qatar to become one of the best connected countries in the world.

Mr. Mohammed Al Mannai, Chief Executive Officer of Qnbn said: "Our progress is strongly materializing on the ground. It reaffirms our pledge to create more potential in the country and it follows other landmarks including our connectivity to Barwa's developments and our deployed networks along the North and South roads. Our steadfast efforts to complete the roll-out in the West Bay area will also support Vodafone in their offerings to residential customers. Additionally, this attests to our unfaltering commitment to serve the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the wider ICT digitization agenda together with our ultimate objective to deliver coverage which will transform Qatar through advanced technologies."

Qnbn's reliable infrastructure will enable Vodafone to offer their business customers incredible high speeds.

Mr. Richard Daly, Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Qatar said: "Qnbn is a strong partner for us in the provision of broadband fiber optics with a visionary and collaborative approach to the market. Qnbn's role is to connect the nation and transform Qatar's ICT landscape. Vodafone Qataris committed to delivering this nationwide goal and our partnership with Qnbn will help us to realize this ambition much more quickly than otherwise possible. Our Al-Safwa Center marks our next chapter as the preferred provider of business services in Qatar. This is a very exciting time for us!"

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About Qnbn
Qatar National Broadband Network Company (Qnbn) is a shareholding company wholly owned by the government, with a mandate to enable accessible high-speed communications with the right cutting edge technology platform across Qatar. Through its visionary and collaborative approach to the market, Qnbn will help to empower the nation with broadband fiber access to citizens and businesses alike in line with the Qatar ICT Strategy 2015.

Qnbn aims to have 95% coverage as it serves the wider digitization agenda of the country. The next generation fiber optics network which is the alternative to copper will become exponentially faster, bringing community and enterprise benefits of enhanced delivery of services, cost savings, increased competitiveness and improved sustainability.

Qnbn will focus solely on the deployment of a network infrastructure, providing equal and open access to operators to offer choice for the end-user and efficiently leveraging existing and new infrastructure in Qatar. Qnbn, one of the first government initiatives of its kind in the region, reflects Qatar's Vision 2030 to transform the country through investment in advanced technologies to knowledge based society and make Qatar the best connected country in the GCC and one of the most connected in the world. Qnbn operates within the existing laws and under license conditions issued by ictQATAR.

About Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C.
Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C. ("Vodafone Qatar") is the holder of the Second Public Mobile and Fixed Telecommunications Networks and Services License in the State of Qatar.

Vodafone Qatar switched on its mobile network on 1 March 2009 and shortly after started delivering great value to its customers with a range of exciting products and services.

Having built a world class converged IP network, Vodafone launched fibre-based consumer and enterprise fixed-line services commercially in October 2012 and will further expand its fibre services in conjunction with Q.NBN deployment of Fibre to Homes and Corporates.

Vodafone's objective is to be the most admired brand in Qatar and the Company is committed to providing world class telecommunications infrastructure to support His Highness the Emir's Qatar National Vision 2030.

Please visit www.vodafone.qa for more details.

For further information, please contact:
Hala Kassab/ Nesrine Kobeissi/ Aileen Andojar
Asda'a Burson-Marsteller
T: +974 4423 9222
E-mail : hala.kassab@bm.com
nesrine.kobeissi@bm.com
aileen.andojar@bm.com

Fathy Kassem
Communications Manager
Qatar National Broadband Network
T +974 4404 1442
F +974 4404 1405
M +974 5539 5730
E-mail: fkassem@qnbn.qa

Lana Khachan
Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C.
E-mail: lana.khachan@vodafone.com