Qtel first operator in the world to offer new Cisco Router for intelligent home broadband networking

Qtel’s customers in Qatar will be one of the first in the world to experience the new Cisco Linksys EA4500 Smart Wi-Fi Router, enabling them to enjoy much faster broadband and networking speeds within the home via Qtel Fibre. 

The new Linksys Smart Wi-Fi router will be available for Qtel customers connected to the Qtel Fibre network. 

Qtel and Cisco have recently entered into an agreement to share knowledge and expertise in developing and implementing comprehensive network and communications solutions for the home. 

“With Qtel Fibre, we are pushing the boundaries of current fibre technology and we are committed to providing a premium customer experience not only with superior networks and reach but also within our customers’ homes,” said Waleed Al Sayed, Chief Operating Officer, Qtel Qatar. “One of the benefits of the new Cisco router is that as our customers upgrade their home broadband experience, their Wi-Fi router’s capabilities will grow with them, and they’ll find themselves able to access more and more content at ever-faster speeds.” 

Al Sayed explained that the new router is able to move content around the home at up to 1Gbps though its Gigabit Ethernet ports and through its high speed dual band wireless capabilities so that large transfers to other computers and networked devices within a home (not just the Internet) can be done in a fraction of the time it would usually take. 

With a stringent set of requirements for a router, Qtel selected Cisco’s new router for its pedigree of excellence and technological innovation. Many routers are not capable of achieving more than 100Mbps via Wi-Fi, which the Cisco router can comfortably achieve. 

The Cisco router operates two Wi-Fi frequencies simultaneously, at 2.4 and 5Ghz, enabling both next generation devices and current high end consumer devices to connect at much faster speeds and with less interference for quick downloading. Using this router with its dual Wi-Fi frequency capability means that devices are able to connect to the best available network, helping eliminate compromising speeds and distances for older devices. 

“Emerging markets such as Qatar are of strategic importance to us as high-speed broadband grows in these areas at a far higher pace than established markets. High-quality home networking solutions are needed to support the increased number of connected devices and greater expectations for streaming video in today’s home,” said Brett Wingo, Vice President and General Manager, Cisco Home Networking. “Our new Linksys EA4500 Smart Wi-Fi Router will help simplify home networking for Qtel customers and enable them to connect all their devices together, to enjoy great entertainment experiences such as smooth HD video streaming to Smart TVs or tablets.” 

The launch of the new Cisco Linksys EA4500 Smart Wi-Fi Router in Qatar is just the first of what will be a range of new products and services by Cisco. The aim is to make new technologies accessible to enhance the ways in which people communicate and entertain themselves at home in Qatar, in line with Qatar’s 2030 vision of a knowledge-based economy.