The Supreme Council of Information and Communications Technology (ictQATAR) yesterday announced the issuance of the Telecommunications Executive By-Law No. (1) of 2009, published in the Qatari Official Gazette that took effect from July 26, 2009. The Telecommunications Executive By-Law includes regulatory procedures, rules and instructions that must be followed by telecommunications service providers in Qatar, including licensees such as Qatar Telecom (QTel) QSC and Vodafone Qatar QSC. “The issuing of the Telecommunications By-Law is an important step in development and consolidation of the legal foundation for liberalisation of the telecommunications sector in Qatar. The executive By-Law sets out further procedures and rules necessary for the implementation of Decree Law No 34 of 2006 and the Telecommunications Law,” said Dr Hessa Al-Jaber, ictQATAR Secretary General. Key areas of telecommunications regulation covered in the Executive By-Law include: Licensing; Radio spectrum management; Interconnection and access; Tariff and pricing regulation; Numbers and numbering; Competition policy; Consumer protection and fair trading; the resolution of complaints and disputes; Access to Property; and Telecommunications equipment standards and approval. “The Telecommunications By-Law is fully consistent with the Telecommunications Law No 34 of 2006, all applicable laws of Qatar, and is in line with international best practice for telecommunications regulation around the world,” Dr Hessa added. The definitive legal text of the Telecommunications Executive By-Law in Arabic, and the ‘unofficial’ English translation of the by-law that will be adopted and applied by ictQATAR can be viewed on ictQatar website www.ictQATAR.qa. http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=August2009&file=Local_News20090820231915.xml

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