Qatar Telecom (Qtel) has slashed by 90 percent additional data charges for its 'Mobile Broadband' service, as the company continues with its range of promotions and discounts. More promotions which will benefit customers are bound to be launched in the run-up to the Eid Al Fitr holidays. This drive is obviously a pre-emptive strike before new licensee Vodafone joins the lucrative telecom share battle. Through the 'Mobile Broadband' service and special data-only SIM cards, users can access the Internet via a USB modem or any data device in areas across Qatar at similar speeds to those enjoyed by customers on an Assymetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) broadband connection at home. The massively-discounted rate on additional data charges means subscribers no longer have to watch the meter ticking away. Often, they are too focused on movies or music they are downloading for example, as the clock ticks away and the charges run up. Qtel said it is in response to customer demand that charges have been reduced. With the 'Mobile Broadband' service – which was introduced earlier this year – three different price plans are on offer with separate limits of data usage, prices can start from QR100 per month for a 1GB data allowance to QR300 for a 5GB data allowance. The discount is being offered on data usage above the given limits. Under the new programme, the reduction means all out-of-bundle charges for mobile broadband services have been set at 10 dirhams for every additional MB downloaded over the data allowance. Qtel will continue to offer the 'Lite', 'Plus' and 'Max' packages, offering different levels of data allowance, but users will now pay significantly less if they exceed their allotted download level. The charge details will be included in customers' monthly bills for in-and-out of bundle fees. "We are constantly reviewing customers' response to the new 'Mobile Broadband', as part of the steps we are taking towards our 'Broadband Qatar' strategy, which aims to make affordable high-speed Internet connectivity available to all," said Adel Al Mutawa, Qtel Executive Director (Group Communications). "By reducing the out-of-bundle charges so significantly, Qtel will remove customers' concerns about surfing beyond their data allowance, and so emancipate them to fully engage with the Internet," he said. The Pen

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