Qtel Continues to "Push the Envelope" by Deploying Mobile Broadband Technology

Doha, October 03 (QNA) -Qatar Qtel Group is continuing to "push the envelope" by deploying mobile Broadband technology to address key social issues, forging a number of major new partnerships and collaborations in the US in recent weeks. Chairman HE Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al Thani, emphasized in a press release issued here on Wednesday that Qtel Group’s drive to encourage creativity and connections between entrepreneurs and original thinkers, as part of his role as a Commissioner to the UN Broadband Commission for Digital Development, which met in New York last week. According to the UN Broadband Commission report, "State of Broadband 2012", mobile broadband use could help address the so-called "digital divide" of access to the Internet, as there are almost twice as many mobile broadband subscriptions as fixed broadband connections in the world today. HE Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al Thani said: "We all recognise the potential impact of mobile Broadband on the lives of people in the developed and the developing world. It is becoming a primary enabler of economic progress, healthcare information, and social contact in many societies today. That means that operators have a particular responsibility to push the envelope in terms of promoting creativity and the intelligent use of technology." "State of Broadband 2012" was launched at the Broadband Commission meeting in New York, aiming to expand on the theme of "Achieving Digital Inclusion for All." For the first time ever, the report analyses global broadband rollout country-by-country, and the impact of broadband on government policy, economics, social inclusion and sustainability. According to the data, Qatar ranks No. 8 in the world in percentage of individuals using the Internet at 86%, and more than three-quarters of the country s medium and large enterprises enjoy broadband access. As well as the Broadband Commission meeting, the Qtel Chairman and other team-members took part in the Social Good Summit in New York, sharing the excitement and global conversations of the international event. At the Summit, Dr. Nasser Marafih on his part, launched the "GSMA mWomen Design Challenge: Redefining the User Experience." The Design Challenge calls for programmers and product designers to develop services that can increase mobile access and literacy for women in the developing world. In these emerging markets, nearly 300 million women do not have access to mobile phones or do not know how to use them to their full potential, according to GSMA research. Winners of the mWomen Design Challenge will be announced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in 2013. In addition to taking part in the Summit, Qtel Group held discussions with Cherie Blair and her Foundation for Women about expanding initiatives that empower women entrepreneurs. Already Qtel Group has seen strong response on several mWomen initiatives, such as Iraqi operator Asiacell launching the Almas (Diamond) line with features catered to women. Indonesian operator Indosat has trained 5,000 low-income micro-entrepreneurs in selling mobile products and services through the "RumaPulsa" social enterprise, and has launched the "Info Wanita" (Information for Women) service, which delivers to Indonesian women important information on small business management, financial management, life skills, health and childcare. Dr. Nasser Marafih was also recently appointed Chairman of the GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation, a non-profit organisation that supports life-enhancing services to millions of underserved people in emerging markets. Through these partnerships, Qtel Group is committed to improving people s lives through scalable and profitable mobile products and services. By expanding the potential of Mobile Broadband, Qtel Group hopes to continue to enrich the lives of people around the world. It is worth to mention that Qtel Group is a leading international communications company, with a significant presence in the MENA region and Southeast Asia, and having a consolidated customer base of 83.7 million as of June 2012. Its businesses operate under various names, including Qtel, Indosat, Asiacell, Wataniya, Nawras, Nedjma and Tunisiana. The Qtel Group's principal activities are mobile telephone services, broadband solutions, digital futures and fiber technologies, serving both consumer and business markets. Headquartered in Doha, Qatar, Qtel Group is ambitiously growing its global business on the basis of its insights into the needs of customers in emerging markets. Qtel Group's ultimate parent company is Qatar Telecom (Qtel) Q.S.C., whose shares are listed on the Qatar Exchange and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. (QNA)