Qtel today announced the launch of innovative, IP (Internet Protocol) Telephony services for customers in Qatar. As a result, businesses will have access to a feature-rich solution that grows with the customer's needs without customers having to bear significant up-front costs or take risks of investing in, sometimes short-lived, equipment technologies.
Dr Nasser Marafih, CEO at Qtel commented "Qtel's managed IP Telephony Centralised Solution can help revolutionise business communications by creating for customers the means to quickly and simply administer and re-align key call-functions such as dial, transfer, call-conference, hold and retrieve functions - all at the click of a mouse. As customer's needs change, then so too can their telephony requirements and specifications. We are just the start of reaping the many benefits of the powerful IP solutions."
The portfolio builds on Qtel's multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) network launched in June 2004, and combines the heritage and expertise of Qtel's voice and network operations with powerful end-to-end technology from leading suppliers such as Cisco. Being an IP Centrex service, it does not require a PBX system.
Qtel's IP Telephony Centralised Solution allows companies to pace migration from analogue to highly-featured digital IP phones on a need-to-have basis. Consequently, it provides an ideal and cost effective first step towards network convergence - either as part of a planned migration strategy or for companies wishing to 'test run' the benefits that IP telephony can bring. The solution is fully managed with 24/ 7 service support enabling companies to deploy IP Telephony services at a reduced cost and without distraction from their core competencies. Qtel's Network Operations Center engineers continuously monitor network performance to ensure minimum downtime and to protect customer communications.
Through 2006, customers can expect further enhancements to the service such as voice messaging notification (via email) and voice messaging to email allowing users to listen to their voice messages on email. Moreover, 'Auto Attendant' is an automated receptionist providing voice-prompts to callers advising options for transfer to another phone or voice mail box as well as how to access extension dialling, name dialling or connection to a human operator. Khalil Al-Emadi, Qtel's Executive Director for Wireline Services said, "IP Telephony is another step towards improving our MPLS based IP-VPN service for corporate customers. We are bringing to Qatar the most advanced hosted IP Telephony managed solutions where our customers can enjoy a feature-rich telephony service. More corporate customers are experiencing the major advantages of being part of an IP-VPN network and enjoy full voice and data convergence.
The migration to IP Telephony will allow businesses and corporate organisations in Qatar to consolidate all their communications requirements on to one network. This will help with lowering infrastructure costs and management expenses. Customers also don't have to worry about capital expenditure, maintenance or software upgrades, as Qtel's state-of-the-art monitoring and dedicated team of professionals will ensure our corporate customers enjoy the very best of what this service offers.
Through integrated data applications companies can significantly boost productivity. Business customers in Qatar will have a proven return on investment with quality of service mechanisms that assure voice quality that is equal if not better than standard phone services," Mr. Al-Emadi concluded.
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© Press Release 2006
