Qtel extends 80% reduction for calls to Palestine for one month

The original reduction, which was announced on December 31, 2008, was made as a gesture of solidarity as the people of Gaza came under attack. One month on, as the painful process of rebuilding begins, Qtel has decided to hold the reduced tariff in place to ensure that people continue to feel that they can remain connected with friends and family.

The reduction, which will now run until February 28, applies to all calls made to Palestine from landline, mobile phone (HALA and Shahry), Q-Card, Dawli Card and payphones.

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

"The original reduction was an important gesture that enabled Qtel to provide a measure of support for people with friends and family in Palestine, and ensure that they could stay in touch during January. We have decided that it is important that this connection be maintained throughout February, as people continue to want to speak to their friends and relatives on a regular basis, to ensure that are still safe and well."

"Qtel views this tariff reduction as a humanitarian initiative, recognizing that communication is a fundamental need of all people, particularly during times of trouble," he added.

Although the major reduction pushes the cost of each call below the operational charge to Qtel, the company is prepared to bear the financial loss as part of its support for the regional community during a period of crisis.

Qtel's initial announcement of the 80% reduction drew strong support from within the company, with over 500 employees volunteering to donate QR282,300 from their January salaries to support on-the-ground charitable efforts. In January at a special support event organized in Al Wakrah, Qtel donated QR1.1m to support the Palestinian people.

Qtel is a long-standing supporter of charitable efforts for the Palestinian people. In April 2008, the company raised QR7,051,000 through a special auction of easy-to-remember mobile phone numbers, with the proceeds donated to the Red Crescent to support its efforts for Palestine.