The Supreme Council for Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR) has revised the license terms of Vodafone Qatar to launch its services to the public after it considered the inevitable delays the company has experienced in setting up its communication infrastructures. Under its license terms, Vodafone Qatar was originally required to achieve 98 percent population coverage and launch full services last month. But due to unforeseen delays experienced by the company in acquiring sites for mobile base stations, ictQATAR decided to revise the terms, this time requiring the company 98 percent coverage by September 1 this year and the launch of services, including two-way phone mobile and SMS, by July 1. So far, the company has switched on its network, achieved interconnection with Qtel, and has launched a trial service to establish the effectiveness of its network. Through its interconnection agreement called Outdoor Site Sharing Agreement, Vodafone Qatar was allowed to share with Qtel mobile towers and Qtel to share Vodafone Qatar mobile towers. Both companies will have separate active mobile networks. According to Vodafone officials, the agreement is a wholesale agreement, which allows customers of Qtel and Vodafone Qatar to communicate with each other. Dr Hessa Al Jaber, ictQATAR Secretary General said despite the fact that Vodafone Qatar has not met the initial target dates set out in its license, they are is satisfied with the progress that has been made on network development and interconnection with Qtel. “We look forward to the launch of competitive telecommunications service in Qatar in the near future,” Dr Hessa said. http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=April2009&file=Local_News2009040615946.xml

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