The Qtel 3G network in Qatar has been upgraded to one of the most advanced national networks in the region, with the activation of High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA). 3G networks enable network operators to offer users a wider range of more advanced services while achieving greater network capacity through improved spectral efficiency. Services include wide-area wireless voice telephony, video calls, and broadband wireless data, all in a mobile environment. The network upgrade – which sees the implementation of the advanced 3G wireless network development across the country – will provide customers with enhanced upload capacity on enabled devices and increase speeds of uploading content. With the major network enhancement activated, customers in Qatar can access the advanced service around the clock at no extra cost. Qtel’s network is now capable of providing upload speeds of up to one megabits per second (Mbps), three times the previous network speed and one of the fastest available anywhere in the region. Given the increasing use of advanced mobile data devices by Qatar businesses, and the rising social use of smart-phones and portable devices to download movies, songs and games, the HSUPA network upgrade is likely to provide customers with significant extra value in all walks of life. Ongoing upgrades to Qtel’s wireless networks have enabled the launch of a range of innovative services, including video calling, live broadcast TV and video MMS services. “Qtel continues to embrace the latest technological advances in order to provide world-class services to our customers,” said Adel Al Mutawa, Executive Director, Group Communications, Qtel. “The upgrade of Qtel’s network to HSUPA marks another significant step in Qtel’s journey towards its vision of a Broadband Qatar where simple and affordable high speed internet connectivity is available to everyone in Qatar.” “The delivery of broadband services has the ability to transform lives by connecting people both to their community and to the wider world at large. It underpins the country’s drive to becoming a knowledge-based economy,” he added. HSUPA technology deploys an uplink enhanced dedicated channel, which supports faster transmission speeds. It is part of a wave of breakthrough technologies in telecommunications that are enabling higher capacity, faster speeds and more innovative deployment of the Internet. The enhancement follows on from Qtel’s ambitious upgrade to its national HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) mobile network, which provided Mobile Broadband customers with some of the most advanced network speeds available anywhere in the world. The network is now enhanced to deliver HSDPA 7.2 Mbps downlink speeds, which is twice the previous network speed and download capacity, again provided at no additional cost for customers. Qtel’s introduction of the most advanced wireless network technologies available has received strong support from customers across Qatar. The advanced communications infrastructure is seen as one of the key tools for developing Qatar’s knowledge economy and forging stronger links with businesses and governmental organisations around the world. http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=February2009&file=Local_News200902133163.xml

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