DOHA: Qatar Telecom (Qtel) will soon launch its wireless broadband operations in the Philippines, Qtel's chief announced yesterday.
Qtel, which recently consolidated its holding in Philippines' Liberty Telecommunications Holdings Inc through the transfer of shares under an existing deal involving the two firms, will soon launch its broadband operations in the east Asian nation, said Dr Nasser Marafih (pictured) , Qtel's Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Last year, San Miguel, Southeast Asia's largest diversified conglomerate, and Qtel entered into a deal to venture into wireless broadband and mobile phone services in the Philippines using Liberty as a vehicle.
Marafih said the company is getting positive results from its expansions in international markets.
"We are continuing to deepen our presence across international markets, and are seeing strong results from key markets like Indonesia, Iraq, Oman and across our Wataniya operations, where we are positioned for further profitable growth," Marafih said.
"For now we are ruling Africa out as it's a crowded market and the assets are a bit pricey," the Qtel CEO said.
Marafih said Qtel, which is getting positive results from its expansions in international markets, is continuing to innovate in its product range and getting closer to its customers.
"Our international success, however, is built upon the foundations here in our home market of Qatar... we have been able to venture boldly abroad and retain our strong links to our culture and traditions here at home," he said.
Qtel reported its Omani-Qatari Telecommunications Company SAOC (Nawras), since it was awarded the First Class Licence for the installation and operation of a common fixed telecommunications services system, is now working toward providing fixed, data and international telecommunication services in Oman, and use its infrastructure to offer a range of leading-edge technologies such as WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), also known as Wireless Broadband and HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) services.
Marafih said Qtel, which owns a controlling stake in Indonesia's second largest telecommunications firm, has already "looked into its strategies for Indosat and has started to revamp the management."
Qtel, which has been expanding rapidly outside its home market, aims to join the ranks of the world's top 20 telecoms firms by 2020, said Marafih.
By Joyce C Abaño
© The Peninsula 2009
