Telecoms & IT

Qatar’s telecoms sector has put itself on a sound footing, thanks to ongoing investments in domestic and global operations. With a solid fixed network, a growing satellite market and sprawling 3G coverage, residents enjoy high connectivity. The ever-rising demand for mobile data has already fuelled a drive for 4G coverage and could prove lucrative to providers even as the use of voice and SMS decreases. One of Qatar’s telecoms companies has launched mobile financial services in the last three years to woo customers, especially the expats who make up more than 85% of the population and often need to transfer money to their home countries, and both firms are looking for ways to expand abroad. This chapter contains interviews with Hessa Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Information & Communications Technology; Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, Chairman, Ooredoo; and Ali Ahmed Al Kuwari, CEO, Es’hailSat.