Telecoms news from Qatar

Qatar Consults on Modified Radio Spectrum Fees

Qatar's telecoms regulator, ictQATAR has launched a public consultation on a draft Radio Spectrum Fees Policy and Fees Schedule. ...more.

Ooredoo Says it Sees Strong Demand for LTE Services

Qatar's Ooredoo says that it has seen strong early demand from customers using its recently-launched LTE network. ...more.

Qatar's Ooredoo Posts Improvements in Revenue and Profits

Qatar's Ooredoo (Qatar Telecom) has announced that its first-quarter revenues rose by 5.2% to reach QAR8.44 billion, while net profits were also up, by 13.6% to QAR808 million. ...more.

Vodafone Qatar CEO to Leave the Company for Personal Reasons

Vodafone Qatar has announced that it will appoint a new Chief Executive Officer from June 2013. ...more.

Fitch Affirms Ooredoo (Qatar Telecom) at 'A+'; Outlook Stable

The affirmation reflects Fitch's assessment of the sovereign's creditworthiness due to Ooredoo's strong operational and strategic ties with the State of Qatar, which directly and indirectly holds 68% ownership of Ooredoo. ...more.

Ooredoo to Launch LTE Network Next Month

Qatar's Ooredoo (formerly Qatar Telecom) says that it will be the first network operator in the country to offer LTE services, when it launches its service next month. ...more.

Qatar Telecom Posts Strong Rise in Quarterly Profits

Qatar based Ooredoo -- the new name for Qatar Telecom -- has reported fourth quarter revenues that rose by 6.4% to reach QAR8.71 billion (US$2.4 billion), and a net profit that was up by 14.6% to QAR 523 million (US$144 million). ...more.

Qtel Group and Subsidiaries to Unify Under New Brand

Qatar Telecom has announced that it is no longer to be known as a company based in Qatar, or a telecoms company, or want any capitals in its name whatsoever. The company is be known henceforth as "ooredoo". ...more.

Qatari Youth Leading The Way In ICT Penetration Rates And Smartphones Usage

On average, a household in Qatar owns three mobile phones, two computers, and one smartphone, and people are using this technology to access the Internet in ever-greater numbers, according to a report commissioned by the telecoms regulator. ...more.

Qatar Telecom Close to Signing $1 Billion Loan as it Eyes Maroc Telecom Purchase

Qatar Telecom is said to be close to securing a $1 billion loan facility which could be used to finance general business operations, but will also leave open speculation about further overseas acquisitions. ...more.

Qtel Outlines 2013 Network Upgrade Objectives

Qatar's Qtel is set to boost mobile network coverage and performance in the country throughout 2013, it announced today. ...more.

Qatar Telecom Secures $500 Million Islamic Bank Loan

Qatar Telecom (Qtel) has signed a US$500 million Islamic finance deal with the local Qatar Islamic Bank. It is the first Islamic finance deal signed by Qtel. ...more.

Qatar Telecom Raises Stake in Wataniya Telecom Kuwait to 92%

Qatar Telecom (Qtel) has closed on its offer to increase its stake in Wataniya Telecom Kuwait, and has secured ownership of 92.1% of the company. ...more.

Qatar Telecom Seeking Customers to Test its LTE Network

Qatat Telecom (Qtel) says that hundreds of customers will take part in one of the region's largest tests of a LTE network before Qtel commercially launches the service in the end of 2012. ...more.

Qtel Gets Approval for Takeover of Wataniya Telecom

Qatar Telecom (Qtel) says that it has received the approval from the Kuwait Capital Markets Authority (CMA) to go ahead with the previously announced deal to buy the remaining 47.5% stake in Wataniya Telecom that it does not currently own. ...more.

Qtel Profits Drop on Currency Losses

Qatar Telecom (Qtel) has announced that its second-quarter revenues rose by 4.6 percent to QAR8.4 billion, although net profits fell by 11.3% to QAR641 million. ...more.

Qatar Telecom Enables Mobile Money Withdrawals from ATMs

Qatar's Qtel today announced that customers of its Mobile Money service can now withdraw cash direct from Qatar National Bank's (QNB) nationwide network of ATMs using their mWallet accounts ...more.

Qatar Telecom Planning $1.9 Billion Bid for Remainder of Wataniya Telecom

Qatar Telecom (Qtel) has confirmed that it is making an offer to buy out the remaining shareholders in its Wataniya Telecom subsidiary in a US$1.9 billion deal. ...more.

Qtel and Vodafone Sign Mobile Number Portability Agreement

The two Qatar based mobile networks, Qtel and Vodafone have signed a contract with Norway's Systor Group - a provider of Mobile Number Portability solutions - as their technology partner for the introduction of MNP in Qatar. ...more.

Qatar Telecom to Double its Stake in Iraqi Mobile Network

Qatar Telecom (Qtel) is reported to have reached an agreement to double its stake in Iraq's Asiacell for a total of US$1.47 billion. ...more.