Consultation period begins on Qatar telecoms' proposed licenses

The consultation period for comments and views on the draft license documents extends through 1 July, 2007.

The documents published on ictQATAR's website represent the basis on which ictQATAR intends to license Qtel and its competitors. One of ictQATAR's goals is to foster competition through transparent and non discriminatory licensing. Comments submitted by companies involved in the telecommunications industry and other interested parties will be reviewed and considered before final license texts are issued.

According to Decree Law (34) of 2006 and the promulgated Telecommunications Law, Qtel must have telecommunications licenses. Published are draft fixed and mobile licences for Qtel and new entrant operators, along with the respective radio spectrum licences.

ictQATAR is currently reviewing applications from prospective mobile licensees submitted during ictQATAR's mobile pre-qualification process. A list of qualified candidates is expected to be announced shortly.

The draft mobile license for the new mobile entrant - with any amendments made in response to comments received during the consultation process that starts today - will essentially be the license for which qualified candidates will compete when the Mobile Licence Application Process is launched in July 2007. It is expected that the process for licensing a new entrant fixed network operator will be launched sometime after. The License for the new entrant fixed network operator will mirror the basic terms and conditions of Qtel's License to provide public fixed telecommunications networks and services.

Secretary General of ictQATAR, Dr Hessa Al Jaber said, "I am pleased that we will meet our legal obligations with respect to the licensing of Qtel and are on schedule in the parallel process of opening the market to new entrants. We look forward to enabling consumers and businesses to enjoy the benefits of competition in the telecommunications sector."

The deadline for comments on the proposed license texts is 3 pm (local time) on 1 July 2007. The consultation and licensing documents (including detailed instructions for filing a response) may be found on the official website of ictQATAR.

Also available on the website are ictQATAR's official response to the Consultation on Liberalization of Telecommunications Markets in Qatar, issued on 23 April 2007, and submissions received on that from interested parties.