ict
telecom
signed a framework agreement (FA) to support the development of the Qatari group’s network operations worldwide, covering the supply of mobile infrastructure, including en-
Virgin Mobile: Another choice from Qtel for customers
ergy-efficient Flexi base stations and other
Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin
first mobile launch in the Middle East, and
systems, alongside support services.
Group companies, launched Virgin Mobile
I would like to invite the people of Qatar
in Qatar in a brand partnership with Qtel.
to come on in and enjoy the fun.”
Dr Nasser Marafih, CEO of Qtel, said, ‘This is a partnership for the future, which will en-
Virgin Mobile Qatar, which is now avail-
The service has been designed to be
sure the highest quality of network develop-
able, brings a fun new service to Qatar,
open, fun and simple to use, and is sup-
ment supporting our strategy for business
offering value, unbeatable coverage, and
ported by a range of retail stores, a new,
growth.’
the exceptional customer service for
dedicated contact centre in the heart of
This was preceded by another group-wide
which Virgin is famous around the world.
framework agreement, with Huawei from
The service will be Qatar’s first youth-fo-
Doha, as well as an online community at www.virginmobile.com.qa.
China.
cused mobile offering, delivered by Virgin
Welcoming Virgin Mobile to Qatar, Dr
Mobile in a brand partnership with Qtel,
Nasser Marafih, CEO, Qtel, said: “We
Strategic alliance with Microsoft
according to the Virgin officials. As part
are pleased and proud to welcome Sir
Qtel and Microsoft signed a broad strategic
of a range of new products launched, Vir-
Richard Branson and the Virgin Mobile
alliance to develop integrated cloud-based
gin Mobile Qatar offers a prepaid mobile
brand to Qatar. Our alliance will have an
services, software applications, mobile ser-
service that combines the coverage and
important impact here in Qatar, and we
vices and devices over Qtel’s converged
call quality benefits of Qtel’s mobile net-
see strong potential for development as
networks. The partnership aims to expand
work with the brand experience of Virgin
a multi-country brand franchise partner-
Qtel’s service portfolio including corporate
Group.
ship across our regional and international
and consumer-focused applications, with
Sir Richard Branson, Chairman and
footprint. For Qtel, this marks another im-
the first resultant products planned to be on
Founder of the Virgin Group of Companies,
portant step forward as we develop our
the market by mid-2010. Qtel and Microsoft
said: “Virgin Mobile is the fastest-growing
brand strategy and our overall business
intend to engage in several work streams in-
and most successful business in Virgin’s
plan to become one of the top 20 global
cluding joint sales and marketing, solutions
history, with more than 15 million custom-
telecommunications operators by 2020.
collaboration, and corporate citizenship
ers around the world. Virgin Mobile Qatar
For the people of Qatar, it adds a new choice and a whole new communications
initiatives, whilst a Microsoft spokesperson
is an entirely new type of mobile experi-
said that the pair will collaborate on the de-
ence, which everybody can start enjoying
lifestyle.” Virgin Mobile Qatar will offer one
velopment of emerging technologies to cre-
from today. I am proud to have partnered
of the most advanced prepaid mobile ser-
ate innovative solutions for Qtel customers.
with Qtel to make Virgin Mobile Qatar our
vices in the region.
New Mobile Broadband top-ups make it
lected period. These have proven particu-
pioneering device that enables people to
easier to stay connected
larly popular with new arrivals to Qatar, with
create their own Internet access from any-
Qtel recently launched a top-up service to
sales at Doha International Airport setting
where in Qatar. With up to five people able
enable customers to extend their use of the
new records.
to access the device at any time, using lap-
pioneering prepaid Mobile Broadband ser-
Qtel deploys the latest 3.75G network
tops, SmartPhones, gaming consoles or any
vice. Introduced at the end of 2009, the ser-
technology for its Mobile Broadband service,
other wi-fi- enabled devices, My-Fi is likely
vice has generated a huge response from
supporting a high-speed experience with
to be one of the most popular launches of
the people of Qatar, enabling users to get
download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps and up-
the year for Qtel. This is the first time that
online immediately and with minimal fuss.
load speeds up to 2Mbps.
advanced My-Fi devices have been made
Qtel currently offers special three-day, 10-
available in Qatar, and Qtel is one of the first
day and 30-day prepaid Mobile Broadband
My-Fi personal mobile hot spot
operators in the region to offer the device to
packages that provide unlimited high-speed
The company has launched the innovative
all customers, building on the wider “Broad-
Internet access for the duration of the se-
new My-Fi personal mobile hot spot, the
band Qatar” strategy
12
ICTTODAY `10