Qtel
Encyclopedia
Qtel used to be the exclusive telecommunications provider in Qatar
and is one of the largest public companies in Qatar with about 2000 employees. It was successfully launched on the Doha
Securities Market in 1998 and listed on the London Stock Exchange
in 1999, the Bahrain Stock Exchange
in 2001 and the Abu Dhabi Securities Market in 2002. Qtel is a winner of the 2005 Gulf Excellence Award and the 2006 Economic Award.
Qtel also provides mobile telephone services in Oman
via Nawras
, a joint venture with TDC
and Omani partners. Qtel is the prestige partner of, and official telecommunications provider to, the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006.
In October 2006 Qtel and Korea Telecom
signed a memorandum of understanding
toward the two telecommunications providers working together in Qatar on infrastructure construction and IT solution delivery for what has been coined 'Ubiquitous Cities' (U-City).
In November 2006 Qtel announced an agreement to acquire a strategic stake in NavLink, a leading provider of managed data services to businesses in the Middle East. Qtel will hold an equity stake (38.2%) in the business, joining AT&T
Inc.
In November 2006, The Emir issued Law No 34 of 2006 restructuring the administration of information and communication systems in Qatar and lifting Qtel's monopoly; ictQATAR
was announced as the new telecoms regulator.
Towards the end of 2007, Qtel announced the launching of a new company named wi-Tribe. wi-tribe is a joint venture between Qatar Telecom (Qtel) and A.A. Tukri Group of Companies (ATCO) of Saudi Arabia. Through wi-tribe, Qtel plans to launch wireless broadband internet services across Asia and Africa. The first wi-tribe deployment was in Jordan and was launched end of Q2 2008. Further deployments in Pakistan, the largest operation for the group, were launched in July 2009. wi-tribe Philippines was made available on February 2010.
In February 2008, Qtel announced its fourth quarter net profit fell 9.6 percent due to a one-off amortisation impact associated with its March purchase of Kuwait's Wataniya. The business now plans to sell stock to existing shareholders to raise about 5.86 billion riyals, to pay back debt and finance growth including possible acquisitions.
In June 2008, Qtel announced its intention to buy a 40% share in Indosat
for US$ 1.8 billion from Temasek Holdings
In May 2011, Qtel became the first company in Qatar to reach internet trial speeds of 100 megabits per second.
and international, Wireline and mobile
telephony. It also offers Internet
and Data services, ADSL, Wi-Fi
and Cable TV services. It provides fully commercial, Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) based Global IPVN.
Qtel runs and manages the Qatar Data Centre that hosts AT&T’s first global node (AGN) in the Middle East.
VOiP users may want to be aware that Qtel has blocked VoiP services in the past, and that Skype
's website has been blocked from casual use in the past. In addition, Qtel uses content-control software
to filter out websites they deem inappropriate to Qatari interests and morality.
service to the Middle East, delivering real-time “Mobile TV broadcast” that captures up to 13 channels like Al-Jazeera, CNN
and CNBC
through mobile handsets.
It also introduced 3G
mobile Internet & video calling, as well as the Triple Play
. And during the Doha 2006 Games Qtel launched the Asian games mobile portal
, bringing entertainment and information services related to the Asian games event.
Qtel has also implemented TETRA
, Terrestrial Trunked Radio, which is a professional mobile radio system for small to large industrial entities and organizations. The service is used in sectors such as governmental, oil and gas, mining, sports events, police, defense, security, safety, paramedic, rescue and the private sector.
Qatar was the first country in the Middle East to introduce Digital Video Broadcasting.
vandalism
and spam
in December 2006, coming from the IP address
of Qtel's proxy server
, it was blocked from editing by a Wikipedia administrator
. The block affected nearly the entire nation of Qatari Internet users, including those from news organization Al-Jazeera.
There was also a block on creating user accounts
, meaning that people editing from Qtel had no way in which to edit Wikipedia at all, but eventually this condition was relaxed several hours later after the ban was widely reported across technology sites.
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
and is one of the largest public companies in Qatar with about 2000 employees. It was successfully launched on the Doha
Doha
Doha is the capital city of the state of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf, it had a population of 998,651 in 2008, and is also one of the municipalities of Qatar...
Securities Market in 1998 and listed on the London Stock Exchange
London Stock Exchange
The London Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located in the City of London within the United Kingdom. , the Exchange had a market capitalisation of US$3.7495 trillion, making it the fourth-largest stock exchange in the world by this measurement...
in 1999, the Bahrain Stock Exchange
Bahrain Stock Exchange
The Bahrain Stock Exchange was established in 1987 by Amiri Decree No. and officially commenced operations on June 17, 1989, with 29 listed companies. Currently, there are 50 companies listed on the exchange...
in 2001 and the Abu Dhabi Securities Market in 2002. Qtel is a winner of the 2005 Gulf Excellence Award and the 2006 Economic Award.
Qtel also provides mobile telephone services in Oman
Oman
Oman , officially called the Sultanate of Oman , is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the...
via Nawras
Nawras
Nawras is a mobile communications provider in the Sultanate of Oman. The services were commercially launched on 16 March 2005 in the market previously occupied by a sole operator Omantel. In November 2008 Nawras was awarded a license to operate fixed services as well wireless services...
, a joint venture with TDC
TDC A/S
TDC A/S is the former telecom monopoly in Denmark. It is now privatized. Thus, it is the biggest company in all aspects of telecommunications in Denmark with landline, mobile, Internet, VHF maritime borderline-radio etc.By the end of 2004, the TDC Group had more than 13.4 mil. customers in Europe:...
and Omani partners. Qtel is the prestige partner of, and official telecommunications provider to, the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006.
In October 2006 Qtel and Korea Telecom
Korea Telecom
KT Corporation is a South Korean integrated wired/wireless telecommunication service provider. KT has an information & communications business, and has the largest portion of the South Korean local telephone and high-speed Internet business...
signed a memorandum of understanding
Memorandum of understanding
A memorandum of understanding is a document describing a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties. It expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action. It is often used in cases where parties either do not imply a legal commitment or in...
toward the two telecommunications providers working together in Qatar on infrastructure construction and IT solution delivery for what has been coined 'Ubiquitous Cities' (U-City).
In November 2006 Qtel announced an agreement to acquire a strategic stake in NavLink, a leading provider of managed data services to businesses in the Middle East. Qtel will hold an equity stake (38.2%) in the business, joining AT&T
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
Inc.
In November 2006, The Emir issued Law No 34 of 2006 restructuring the administration of information and communication systems in Qatar and lifting Qtel's monopoly; ictQATAR
IctQATAR
ictQATAR, the Supreme Council of Information & Communication Technology, is Qatar’s independent telecommunications regulator and the Government’s technology advocate and facilitator....
was announced as the new telecoms regulator.
Towards the end of 2007, Qtel announced the launching of a new company named wi-Tribe. wi-tribe is a joint venture between Qatar Telecom (Qtel) and A.A. Tukri Group of Companies (ATCO) of Saudi Arabia. Through wi-tribe, Qtel plans to launch wireless broadband internet services across Asia and Africa. The first wi-tribe deployment was in Jordan and was launched end of Q2 2008. Further deployments in Pakistan, the largest operation for the group, were launched in July 2009. wi-tribe Philippines was made available on February 2010.
In February 2008, Qtel announced its fourth quarter net profit fell 9.6 percent due to a one-off amortisation impact associated with its March purchase of Kuwait's Wataniya. The business now plans to sell stock to existing shareholders to raise about 5.86 billion riyals, to pay back debt and finance growth including possible acquisitions.
In June 2008, Qtel announced its intention to buy a 40% share in Indosat
Indosat
PT Indosat Tbk., formerly known as PT Indonesian Satellite Corporation Tbk. is a provider of telecommunication services in Indonesia. It is the third largest telecommunication company for mobile services in Indonesia after defeat by XL Axiata...
for US$ 1.8 billion from Temasek Holdings
Temasek Holdings
Temasek Holdings is an investment company owned by the government of Singapore. With an international staff of 380 people, it manages a portfolio of about S$193 billion at end of March 2011, focused primarily in Asia...
In May 2011, Qtel became the first company in Qatar to reach internet trial speeds of 100 megabits per second.
Services
Qtel provides a range of telecommunications products including nationalNational (distribution)
National is an adjective used to describe a product or publication that is distributed throughout an entire nation, e.g., a national magazine. It implies that the item is available for purchase or access anywhere in the country...
and international, Wireline and mobile
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
telephony. It also offers Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
and Data services, ADSL, Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
and Cable TV services. It provides fully commercial, Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) based Global IPVN.
Qtel runs and manages the Qatar Data Centre that hosts AT&T’s first global node (AGN) in the Middle East.
VOiP users may want to be aware that Qtel has blocked VoiP services in the past, and that Skype
Skype
Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chat over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system...
's website has been blocked from casual use in the past. In addition, Qtel uses content-control software
Content-control software
Content-control software, also known as censorware or web filtering software, is a term for software designed and optimized for controlling what content is permitted to a reader, especially when it is used to restrict material delivered over the Web...
to filter out websites they deem inappropriate to Qatari interests and morality.
New technologies
Qtel introduced DVB-HDVB-H
DVB-H is one of three prevalent mobile TV formats. It is a technical specification for bringing broadcast services to mobile handsets. DVB-H was formally adopted as ETSI standard EN 302 304 in November 2004. The DVB-H specification can be downloaded from the official DVB-H website...
service to the Middle East, delivering real-time “Mobile TV broadcast” that captures up to 13 channels like Al-Jazeera, CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
and CNBC
CNBC
CNBC is a satellite and cable television business news channel in the U.S., owned and operated by NBCUniversal. The network and its international spinoffs cover business headlines and provide live coverage of financial markets. The combined reach of CNBC and its siblings is 390 million viewers...
through mobile handsets.
It also introduced 3G
3G
3G or 3rd generation mobile telecommunications is a generation of standards for mobile phones and mobile telecommunication services fulfilling the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 specifications by the International Telecommunication Union...
mobile Internet & video calling, as well as the Triple Play
Triple play (telecommunications)
In telecommunications, triple play service is a marketing term for the provisioning of two bandwidth-intensive services, high-speed Internet access and television, and a less bandwidth-demanding service, telephone, over a single broadband connection. Triple play focuses on a combined business...
. And during the Doha 2006 Games Qtel launched the Asian games mobile portal
Web portal
A web portal or links page is a web site that functions as a point of access to information in the World Wide Web. A portal presents information from diverse sources in a unified way....
, bringing entertainment and information services related to the Asian games event.
Qtel has also implemented TETRA
Tetra
thumb|right|250px|Pristella tetra — [[Pristella maxillaris]].thumb|right|250px|Golden Pristella tetra, a [[morph |morph]] of [[Pristella maxillaris]].thumb|right|250px|[[Silvertip tetra]] — Hasemania nana....
, Terrestrial Trunked Radio, which is a professional mobile radio system for small to large industrial entities and organizations. The service is used in sectors such as governmental, oil and gas, mining, sports events, police, defense, security, safety, paramedic, rescue and the private sector.
Qatar was the first country in the Middle East to introduce Digital Video Broadcasting.
Wikipedia controversy
After a series of anonymous acts of WikipediaWikipedia
Wikipedia is a free, web-based, collaborative, multilingual encyclopedia project supported by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation. Its 20 million articles have been written collaboratively by volunteers around the world. Almost all of its articles can be edited by anyone with access to the site,...
vandalism
Vandalism
Vandalism is the behaviour attributed originally to the Vandals, by the Romans, in respect of culture: ruthless destruction or spoiling of anything beautiful or venerable...
and spam
Spamdexing
In computing, spamdexing is the deliberate manipulation of search engine indexes...
in December 2006, coming from the IP address
IP address
An Internet Protocol address is a numerical label assigned to each device participating in a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. An IP address serves two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing...
of Qtel's proxy server
Proxy server
In computer networks, a proxy server is a server that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers. A client connects to the proxy server, requesting some service, such as a file, connection, web page, or other resource available from a different server...
, it was blocked from editing by a Wikipedia administrator
SysOp
A sysop is an administrator of a multi-user computer system, such as a bulletin board system or an online service virtual community. It may also be used to refer to administrators of other Internet-based network services....
. The block affected nearly the entire nation of Qatari Internet users, including those from news organization Al-Jazeera.
There was also a block on creating user accounts
Login
Login is the method whereby a user obtains access to a computer system.Login may also refer to:*Magazines:** LOGiN, published by Enterbrain** ;login:, published by USENIX* Login, Carmarthenshire, an hamlet in Carmarthenshire...
, meaning that people editing from Qtel had no way in which to edit Wikipedia at all, but eventually this condition was relaxed several hours later after the ban was widely reported across technology sites.