Local video calls via mobile phones are now possible in Doha

Doha, 19 July 2006: At a press event held on 19 July in Doha, Qatar, Qtel, the country's exclusive telecoms provider, announced the launch of its first service delivered over its newly launched third generation (3G) mobile phone network.  Called '3G Video Calling', the service allows callers to see live video images of each other during phone conversations through their 3G mobile handset.

The event was chaired by Qtel's Chairman, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al Thani and included CEO Dr. Nasser Marafih; Executive Director for Wireless Services Sheikh Fahad Bin Jassim Al Thani. Also present were senior officials from Siemens and Alcatel, Qtel's partners for the supply, installation and commissioning of Qatar's 3G/UMTS network.

In his statement to the press, Qtel's Chairman said that Qtel was one of the first operators in the Gulf and Middle East to offer 3G Video Calling for both postpaid and prepaid customers with no connection or monthly fee.

"The launch of this innovative new service comes as part of Qtel's ongoing mission to help its customers get the most from state-of-the-art technologies and change the way everyone will connect. Customers in Qatar can look forward to enjoying more equally fun and interactive 3G services in the near future including the launch of 3.5G services later this year," Sheikh Abdullah concluded.

Qtel's price per minute for 3G Video Calling is the lowest in the region; customers need only pay an additional 10 dirhams (QR. 0.10) per minute on top of their existing voice call charge.

To use the service, both parties on the call need to have 3G Video Call capable handsets and both parties need to be located within Qtel's 3G network coverage area. In areas without 3G coverage, customers with 3G handsets will automatically default back on to  GSM/GPRS networks, which cover more than 99% of Qatar's populated areas.

Plans are underway to expand the coverage to other areas of the country by the end of the year as Qtel constantly expands and improves the quality of 3G coverage. In addition to the ability to make and receive 3G Video Calls, customers with a 3G handset will be able to access and use all existing voice and multimedia services offered by Qtel.

Qtel's CEO Dr. Nasser Marafih said, "We anticipate this service to be very popular during live sports games and concerts, as people with 3G handsets can share events instantaneously with others. As a prestige partner and the main telecommunications provider of the 15th Asian Games, Doha 2006, we are proud to play a major role in adding to the fun and excitement of the Games through fun services such as video calling, MMS and future 3G services."

Dr. Jan Cron, Vice President Sales and General Manager Middle East HQ from Siemens added, "Technology adoption in the region is as dynamic as anywhere in the world and speed, efficiency and accessibility are paramount. We provide leading-edge technology to give people the pervasive communications capability they want and the ease of use they deserve.

"To do this, we will continue to combine our in-depth local knowledge and global expertise in a spirit of partnership with Qtel. Together we will achieve our ambitions." 

Pierre-Alain Cadillon - Country Senior Officer for the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait for Alcatel said, "Video Calling is a promising opportunity for any operator willing to efficiently retain its current subscribers while attracting new subscribers. Qtel's spirit has always been towards offering user-centric services for its customers. We believe that Qtel will be able to provide a state of the art 3G services which will help to boost the broadcasting of the 15th Asian Games during December by using all the High Speed Packet Access facilities."                   

The commercial launch of 3G Video Calling follows the company's collaboration on a 3G research project with Texas A&M University in Qatar, the College of the North Atlantic at Qatar and Qatar University. This is part of Qtel's efforts to aid research into 3G services and to gain insights into the technology. The findings of the research are expected to be ready by late 2006 and will provide a source of data (raw and processed) for input to various post graduate research activities carried out within Qatar or in other parts of the region.  Earlier in April 2006, Qtel announced its partnership with Siemens to open a 3G Wireless laboratory at the College of the North Atlantic. The USD 2.5 million-dollar lab has been equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and technologies and is set to provide data and information for the benefit of the whole telecoms industry.

-Ends-

Notes to the Editor:
About Qtel
Qatar Telecom (Qtel) is the exclusive telecommunications provider in Qatar. Its principal activities include local and international fixed telephone, mobile, Internet, data and cable television services. Qtel also provides mobile telephone services in Oman via Nawras, a joint venture with TDC and Omani partners. Qtel is the prestige partner of, and official telecommunications provider to, the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006.

Qtel is a winner of the 2005 Gulf Excellence Award and the 2006 Economic Award.  The company is listed on the Doha Securities Market and on other stock exchanges in the GCC. For more information, visit: www.qtel.com.qa

This press release has been issued by Qtel Public Relations Department.

For further information please contact:
Mustafa Al Qatami,
Manager for Public Relations
Tel: 4400201
Fax: 4830866
Email: mqatami@qtel.com.qa

© Press Release 2006