Qatar: Qatar National Broadband Network (Q.NBN)and Vodafone Qatar QSC ( Vodafone ) have signed an interim wholesale agreement, in another significant move towards bringing high-speed communications to all who live and work in Qatar. The agreement was signed by Mohamad Al-Mannai, Q.NBN CEOandRichard Daly, Vodafone Qatar CEO.
This agreement is the first such wholesale agreement to enable a licensed telecom operator to use Q.NBN's network to deliver telecom services to customers. As such it is an important step towards establishing Q.NBN's commercial offering in Qatar.
The signing represents the latest milestone in the relationship begun last year when Q.NBN and Vodafone inked a Heads of Agreement. This was to define how the two organizations could work together to realize the Qatar Government's objective to roll out an accessible nationwide high-speed fibre optic network.
Q.NBN is providing a state-of-the-art passive fibre optics platform to enable all licensed operators to offer voice, high-speed Internet access and other data services to their customers. Bringing the implementation of high-speed broadband one step nearer for households, businesses and government agencies, the agreement also paves the way for a long-term nationwide agreement between Q.NBN and Vodafone .
Under this interim wholesale agreement, Vodafone will initially provide broadband services to residential and business customers in Barwa City and Barwa Commercial Avenue.
"This interim wholesale Agreement reflects the commitment and partnership between Q.NBN and Vodafone to accelerate fibre penetration to homes and businesses to energize Qatar's knowledge-based economy, reflecting Qatar's Vision 2030. This close collaboration will bring high speed broadband connectivity to the country enhancing the quality of life for people in Qatar giving Qatar businesses the competitive edge they need to make Qatar a truly connected nation in line with Qatar ICT Strategy 2015," said Mohamad Al-Mannai, Q.NBN Chief Executive Officer.
" Vodafone is delighted to partner with Q.NBN to make high-speed broadband a reality for everyone in Qatar. We are looking forward to building on this relationship to enable us to serve both business and residential customers with higher quality services. This Agreement reflects our shared commitment to advance Qatari society by working together to make a nationwide fibre network a reality in Qatar. Q.NBN's wholesale pricing is significant as it means affordability and choice for customers," said Richard Daly, Vodafone Qatar CEO.
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ABOUT Q.NBN
Qatar National Broadband Network Company (Q.NBN) is an independent company wholly owned by the government, with a mandate to enable accessible high-speed communications with the right cutting edge technology platform across Qatar. Through its visionary and collaborative approach to the market, Q.NBN will help to empower the nation with broadband fibre access to citizens and businesses alike in line with the Qatar ICT Strategy 2015.
Q.NBN aims to have maximum coverage by 2015 as it serves the wider digitization agenda of the country. The next generation fibre optics network which is the alternative to copper will become exponentially faster, bringing community and enterprise benefits of enhanced delivery of services, cost savings, increased competitiveness and improved sustainability.
Recent research shows that doubling the broadband speed increases an economy's GDP by 0.3%.
Q.NBN will focus solely on the deployment of a passive network infrastructure, providing equal and open access to operators to offer choice for the end-user and efficiently leveraging existing and new infrastructure in Qatar. Q.NBN, one of the first government initiatives of its kind in the region, reflects Qatar's Vision 2030 to transform the country through investment in advanced technologies to knowledge based society and make Qatar the best connected country in the GCC and one of the most connected in the world. Q.NBN operates within the existing laws and under license conditions issued by ictQATAR.
About Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C.
Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C. (" Vodafone Qatar ") is the holder of the Second Public Mobile Telecommunications Networks and Services license and the Second Public Fixed Networks and Services License in the State of Qatar.
Please visit www.vodafone.qa for more details.
For further information, please contact:
Hala Kassab
Kamal Nasrallah
Asda'a Burson-Marsteller
T: +974 4 4351 113
F: +974 4 4351 511
E-mail : h.kassab@asdaa.com
k.nasrallah@asdaa.com
Fathy Kassem
Qatar National Broadband Network
T:+974 4404 1442
F: +974 4404 1405
M +974 5539 5730
email: fkassem@qnbn.qa
Lana Khachan
Vodafone
E-mail: lana.khachan@vodafone.com
