For almost two years, Qtel have been preparing for the 15th Asian Games and at a press conference held at Qtel Tower, the company provided an update on its technology preparations for the games.
No event of a scale such as this could happen today without telecommunications and in total, Qtel advised that it had invested QR500 million in new technologies to make sure that local residents, visitors to the Games as well as the many millions of people around the world have a great experience.
Qtel systems and services required for the Games are now up and working and the company proudly pointed out that delivery in many areas is ahead of plan.
This investment includes a state-of-the-art high-speed optical capacity network that is capable of delivering high definition television (HDTV) coverage of the Games. But significantly too, Qatar's citizens will benefit long into the future through this and all other investments in these very advanced technologies.
Dr Nasser Marafih, Qtel CEO commented, "Whilst we here in Qatar are fortunate in that we can be present at the games in the stadiums, there will be millions and millions of people around the world glued to their television sets cheering on their national heroes and national teams. This is made possible by Qtel working in partnership with many other carriers and operators to transmit high quality pictures and images around the globe."
At the same time, Dr Nasser also pointed out that with the influx of many thousands of visitors and sports fans to Qatar, the demand for mobile bandwidth in Qatar will greatly increase and he added that much preparation had been done in anticipation of this.
Demand for GSM as well as fixed coverage at the sites has been taken into consideration in addition to the many new hotels and accommodation sites around Doha that all have a need for telephones, Internet access and mobile coverage.
Dr Nasser continued, "We have been closely planning our network coverage especially in-line with the 19 competition Games venues as well as the locations where our country's guests will be staying. Our systems are ready for the Games but in the unlikely event of a major problem, both our fixed and mobile systems are fully backed-up by emergency systems. When the Games are on, then our GSM service will be ready for the huge surge in traffic. By the time the Games begin, we will have almost 500 base stations in more than 350 locations across Qatar. We know that coverage in the new high-rise buildings, such as towers, hotels etc need special consideration. For these reasons, we have undertaken a programme of installing indoor solutions that enhance coverage inside buildings. Under this programme, we have currently installed 49 indoor solutions with a further 7 being put in place soon."
Qtel's complement of payphones is now fully ‘smart-card’ operated avoiding the need for users to depend on having appropriate numbers of cumbersome coins to make calls. Around the country, Qtel have 1,083 payphones installed at convenient locations and through 2006 Qtel have installed and commissioned more than 65 new sites. These new installations have been put in place to meet increased demands from the many thousands of visitors to the Games.
These days, major events such as sports competitions are not complete without fans taking photos with their phones and then sending messages with the photos attached around the world – in seconds! Access to the Internet too will be in great demand and therefore Qtel has expanded the number of its WiFi access points and introduced a new service called WiMax that provides a much wider 'footprint' for wireless access to the web.
For the first time ever in a major sporting event, Qtel have introduced a service called ‘Games Ebahar’ for the press and media. This pre-paid service allowed users to buy daily, weekly or games-duration cards that gave them WiFi Internet access at close to 300 Access Points at the Main Press Centre, Athletes Village or any of the 26 Games venues around Doha In July this year, Qtel launched Video Calling; which was the first 3G application over their new 3G network. That was followed shortly afterwards with high-speed access to the Internet from mobile phones and this is about to be augmented through the launch of a new ‘portal' that will have content specifically for and about the events and competitions taking place in December.
For the organisers and participants of the Asian Games, staying connected and having fast connections with sometime large numbers of people, is essential. Following trials at the West Asian Games in 2005 here in Qatar, Qtel completed the final phase of rolling out TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) in time for the 15th Asian Games.
TETRA is a Professional Mobile Radio (PMR) system standard especially designed initially for operational communication needs for small to large industrial entities and organisations. The service is a key communications method and used in a wide range of operations in sectors such as Governmental, Oil & Gas, Mining, Sports Events, Police, Defence, Security, Safety, Paramedic, Rescue as well as the Private
sector. Qtel's TETRA network covered all major venue sites, Athletes' City as well as public areas in all major hotels.
Qtel said too that it has plans to demonstrate a service called DVB H (Digital Video Broadcast - Handheld) that will showcase how live television pictures can be sent to special mobile handsets. The service is scheduled to go live later in 2007.
Most significantly, in time for the Games, a new state-of-the-art service will be launched that uses a technology called 'Triple Play'. The service brings together television and video, high-speed Internet and telephony all over one connection and provides viewers with a very high quality TV image and enhanced viewing experience.
In closing, Dr Nasser said, "It's been a challenging but exceptionally rewarding experience for Qtel and its involvement in the Games. We have applied our expertise and where necessary learned new skills that all contributes to our knowledge base. During the Games, we will have many hundreds of Qtel employees working behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly. We have invested in technologies as well as in our people and after the Games have been and gone, we will be left with a wonderful legacy that will continue to serve Qatar for years ahead. I wish every contestant the best of luck and welcome every visitor to Qatar for, what I am sure will be, the Games of our Lives."
About Qtel
Qatar Telecom (Qtel) is the exclusive telecommunications provider in Qatar. Its principal activities include local and international fixed telephone, mobile, Internet, data and cable television services. Qtel also provides mobile telephone services in Oman via Nawras, a joint venture with TDC and Omani partners. Qtel is the prestige partner of, and official telecommunications provider to, the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006.
Qtel is a winner of the 2005 Gulf Excellence Award and the 2006 Economic Award. The company is listed on the Doha Securities Market and on other stock exchanges in the GCC. For more information, visit: www.qtel.com.qa
