First official step in telecoms liberalization in Qatar

New entrants will compete with the incumbent provider, Qatar Telecom QSC (Q-Tel).

This consultation period will end 31 March, 2007. Licensing details will be published in the second quarter of 2007. The licensing process is expected to be completed by the end of 2007.

ictQATAR Secretary General Dr. Hessa Al-Jaber said "We welcome the opportunity to hear from those operators interested in entering our recently opened telecommunications industry. These meetings are part of our commitment to transparency and fairness to all players."

The State of Qatar plans to issue telecommunications licenses to own and operate fixed and mobile telecommunications networks and provide telecommunications services to the public.

The license structure and award process are being developed according to legislation issued in November, 2006 by the Emir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani. The government's goal is to drive economic growth and increase efficiency in business practices while delivering benefits to consumers through lower prices, new innovative products and services, and quality of services.

The law effectively mandates the liberalization of the telecommunications sector and ends the monopoly of Q-Tel.

Telecommunications owners and operators interested in expressing preliminary views on the licensing of additional operators in Qatar are invited to contact ictQATAR on +974 6736227 or license@ict.gov.qa. The process for expressing those views and the areas of interest to be covered shall be forwarded in response.

This is the first opportunity to be provided by ictQATAR to interested parties. Further opportunities will arise throughout the licensing process.