Qatar benefits from national HSDPA network upgrade

The network has been enhanced to deliver HSDPA 7.2 Mbps (megabits per second) peak downlink speeds.

Effectively, customers will benefit from double the previous network speeds and download capacity. This enhanced service is being delivered at no additional cost for customers.

Qtel has invested significantly in building one of the most advanced mobile data networks in the region, and continues to enhance the service to provide a higher quality of online experience for users. The new upgrade sees Qtel join the select group of networks in the world that can deliver 7.2 Mbps peak downlink speed.

Adel Al Mutawa, Executive Director, Group Communications, said:

"The upgrade of Qtel's mobile data network marks another significant step in Qtel's journey towards its vision of a 'Broadband Qatar,' where fast and affordable high speed internet connectivity is available to everyone on any HSDPA device and in any location. Broadband services can help to connect people both to their community and to the wider world at large and can support the country's progress in becoming a knowledge-based economy."

Ongoing upgrades to Qatar's mobile data networks have enabled the launch of a range of innovative services, including video calling, live broadcast TV and video MMS services.

Across Qatar, there are a growing number of people - from young technology enthusiasts through to creative businesspeople - taking advantage of the network progress to use the latest devices and access content in new ways.

Faster network speeds provide Qatar-based customers with the capacity to download high-resolution interactive games, full motion video and music downloads with the same quality as DVDs, and extremely fast downloads of large files such as email attachments and PowerPoint presentations to their mobile phones or laptops.

In addition, the upgrades enable Qtel to drive the internet services provided to customers, which include business e-mail and web-hosting, to even higher levels.