The number of companies in Qatar deploying ADSL and Broadband Internet solutions has risen in year-on-year figures for the first six months of 2010, Qtel has said. “The robust demand for the solution reflects the economic health of the country’s small and medium business sector, as well as the increasing affordability and availability of Internet service specifically designed for the sector,” Qtel said. The period from April 2010 showed a particularly sharp rise, with an increase of 43% in the average number of activations for Internet services in May. According to Qtel Business Solutions, this ‘significant increase’ is attributable to the launch of the company’s enhanced ‘Business ADSL’ service, designed to support the needs of small and medium businesses in Qatar. The new Business ADSL solution leverages Qtel’s ‘highly advanced’ network infrastructure to offer one of the ‘most effective’ Internet solutions for businesses. All customers automatically receive ‘business-class e-mail’, with their own registered domain and e-mail mailboxes starting at 1GB of disk space for the 1Mbps speed service, which rises to 10GB for the 8Mbps service. Companies also benefit from enhanced web services. A popular feature has been the inclusion of a free subscription to Qtel’s Mobile Broadband service, which can be used to stay connected if anything happens to the ADSL connection. This automatic switch to 3G from ADSL has been hailed as one of the most innovative features of the new service. It also comes with an advanced firewall, self-help and remote help services. By providing a range of customer premises equipment (CPE) for every Business ADSL customer, Qtel ensures the solution supports immediate implementation for businesses when they need it. The dedicated online account management ensures that support can be provided when customers need it most, to ensure seamless services. “The fact that small and medium businesses are continuing to invest in ADSL solutions underlines the wider sense of confidence that these companies are feeling about the prospects for growth in the second half of 2010,” Qtel said. Preliminary estimates from the Qatar Statistics Authority showed that the Qatari economy grew by 22.71% year-on-year in the first three months of this year. http://gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=373095&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16

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