-TETRA network will support Asian Games in Doha
-Phase 1 now completed at Ras Laffan Industrial City
Qtel today announced that it has begun implementation of the first nationwide TETRA professional mobile radio network in the Middle East."The TETRA network is being rolled out in three phases," said Qtel CEO, Dr. Nasser Marafih. "Phase 1 of the network has been completed at Ras Laffan Industrial City. 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.
"TETRA will play an important role in the successful operation of the Asian Games.
"Qtel will invest more than QR 40m in the entire TETRA network. When completed, the network will comprise 49 base stations and 2 switches."
TETRA, or TErerestrial Trunked Radio, is an open digital trunked radio standard developed to meet the needs of the most professional radio users.
The TETRA standard has been formally adopted in Europe and in many other parts of the world. It is widely used by police, security, rescue and emergency services, defence forces, the Oil & Gas industry, and in maritime, aviation and traffic management services.
Qtel contracted the Munich-based company Rohde & Schwarz, with its local partner Consolidated Gulf Co. (CGC), to build the network in Qatar.
Dario Barisoni, Area Sales Director, Rohde & Schwarz, said, "It is a great pleasure, on behalf of R&S, to be here today and to take part in this unique development. TETRA is the international standard for professional mobile radio and we are proud to have been selected to implement the nationwide network based on this technology."
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 Ras Laffan Industrial City section of the network has two base stations located in Ras Laffan, one at the Qtel site and the other at the Qatargas site. "Qtel would like to express its gratitude to Qatargas for its cooperation," Dr. Marafih said.
The TETRA 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.
"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," Dr. Marafih said.
"When Phase 3 is completed in July 2006, Qtel will provide a nationwide TETRA network covering all of Qatar. This will be 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.
"TETRA is a state-of-the-art digital professional mobile radio system. We believe Qtel's investment in TETRA will make a real difference for major companies operating in Qatar as well as in ensuring a successful Asian Games," Dr. Marafih said.
-Ends-
© Press Release 2005
