DOHA: With a range of services unique to Virgin Mobile Qatar, the newly launched brand, which boasts of simplicity, flexibility and customer service is a boon to young customers according to officials.
"This is about customer need. We are offering services consumers can't avail from others," said Ed Jennings, Head of Virgin Mobile Qatar, responding to a query from The Peninsula during a press meet yesterday at the Virgin Mobile Headquarters at Qtel Tower. Jennings said Virgin Mobile as a youth-oriented brand is very competitive in providing customers more and varied choices.
"Our vision is to take the lead in designing products and services to particular customers," said Jennings.
As with other countries where Virgin Mobile has presence, Virgin Mobile Qatar offers reduction in call costs. For local calls, one minute costs QR0.55 for the first five minutes and QR0.30 per minute for the rest of the day while for international calls, it costs QR1.30 per minute for the first five minutes and QR0.65 per minute for the rest of the day.
Waleed Al Sayed, Executive Director for Customer, Qtel said Virgin Mobile is a great partner to deliver services to the large population of youth in Qatar who are the target segment of Virgin Mobile. He once again cleared controversies saying ictQatar is responsible for regulating telecom operators and that Qtel can introduce new brands such as Virgin Mobile which contributes to improving and introducing innovative services in the telecom sector to benefit customers.
Jennings said Virgin Mobile welcome packs, recharge cards and vouchers are available in six major stores in shopping malls and hundreds of retail partners and outlets. Welcome pack costs QR35 including QR10 credit.
Recharge cards which are available for QR20, QR50 and QR100 can also be availed through Qtel self-service machines. Customers can also transfer credit from Qtel to Virgin Mobile and vice versa.
Though only available in pre-paid scheme at the moment Virgin Mobile will have post-paid service soon explained Jennings.
"We will also be launching post-paid Blackberry in three weeks time," he said.
Virgin Mobile covers not only Qatar but all 17 countries where Qtel has presence. Catering to the younger segment of the market, Virgin Mobile has hired young people who could understand the needs of its customers better. Their average age is 27 and they come from 24 different nationalities and speak 14 languages.
Also present in the press meet were Adel Al Mutawa, Executive Director, Group Communication, Qtel and Fatima Sultan Al Kuwari, Manager, Products and Services, Virgin Mobile Qatar.
By Raynald C Rivera
© The Peninsula 2010
