Doha: The first phase of the QR40m nationwide Terestrial Trunked Radio (Tetra Trunked Radio) professional mobile radio network being built by Qatar Telecom (Qtel) has now been completed at Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qtel CEO Nasser Marafih said at a news conference yesterday.
Qtel contracted the Munich-based company Rohde & Scwartz, with its local partner Consolidated Gulf Company (CGC), to build the state-of-the art digital professional mobile radio system in Qatar.
Marafih said that following excellent results in field trials performed by selected customers at Ras Laffan Industrial City, Phase 1 of the Tetra network will begin commercial operations shortly.
The system will be used by Ras Laffan Industrial City management as well as the companies working there for day-to-day operations as well as for security and emergency response, where fast and reliable communication is critical.
"The Tetra network is being rolled out in three phases. Phase 2 will be completed next month, in time to support the West Asian Games in Doha, while phase 3 will support the Asian Games in 2006", said Marafih of the implementation of the first nationwide TETRA professional mobile radio network in the Middle East.
He said that Qtel will invest QR40m in the entire TETRA network and when completed, the network will comprise 49 base stations and two switches.
"In Phase 2, to be completed in November this year, Qtel will provide TETRA network coverage for the West Asian Games and corporate customers in Greater Doha and the Messaieed and Dukhan industrial cities", Marafik said.
When Phase 3 is completed in July 2006, Qtel will provide a nationwide Tetra network covering all of Qatar, the first nationwide Tetra network anywhere in the Middle East.
As the Tetra network expands, it will progressively replace the existing TMR analogue system. While Qtel will operate the network, commercial customers will be free to choose and purchase their own mobile radio handsets on the open market.
© The Peninsula 2005
