Qatar yesterday became the eighth Virgin Mobile branded operation in the world, when Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group companies, launched Virgin Mobile in Qatar in a brand partnership with Qtel. Qatar now joins the UK, Australia, USA, Canada, France, South Africa, and India where a wide range of mobile services is available offering great value, unbeatable coverage, and the exceptional customer service for which Virgin is famous around the world. The mobile service will be the first one focused on the young segment of the population since Qatar is composed of a young and diverse population. As part of a range of new products launched, Virgin Mobile Qatar will offer a prepaid mobile service that combines the coverage and call quality benefits of Qtel’s mobile network with the unique brand experience delivered by Virgin Group. A spectacular opening ceremony celebrated the launch which saw Sir Richard arrive at the head of a V-formation fleet of jetski riders, blazing a trail along the curve of the Corniche, before landing at the world-famous Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. “Virgin Mobile Qatar is an entirely new type of mobile experience, which everybody can start enjoying from today. I am proud to have partnered with Qtel to make Virgin Mobile Qatar our first mobile launch in the Middle East, and I would like to invite the people of Qatar to come on and enjoy the fun,” Branson said during a press meet. The service has been designed to be open, fun and simple to use, and will be supported by a range of retail stores, a new, dedicated contact centre in the heart of Doha, as well as an online community at www.virginmobile.com.qa. “Our alliance will have strong impact here in Qatar, and we see potential for development as a multi-country brand franchise partnership across our regional and international footprint. For Qtel, this marks another important step forward as we develop our brand strategy and overall business plan to become one of the top 20 global telecommunications operators by 2020. For the people of Qatar, it adds a fantastic new choice and a whole new communications lifestyle,” said Dr Nasser Marafih, CEO, Qtel. The service offers a simple all-day tariff, sweeping away the confusion of peak and off-peak rates and also provides 180-day airtime – the longest-lasting mobile airtime validity in Qatar. Built around a clear of concept—the more you talk, the less you pay—Virgin Mobile Qatar promises to provide a great value, flexible service that everyone in Qatar can enjoy. Local calls will cost 55 dirhams per minute for the first five minutes each day, and 30 dirhams per minute after that. Mobile Internet will cost just QR1 per MB. “Virgin is a pioneering new kind of mobile service. We will be giving customers in Qatar what we know they have been calling for—a simple, honest, easy-to-use mobile experience with unbeatable coverage, great customer service, and a whole load of fun extras,” said Head of Virgin Mobile Qatar Ed Jennings. Virgin Mobile Qatar plans to host a wide range of special events and activities across Doha. From today, branded red doors have been placed around key sites to announce that Virgin Mobile Qatar is ‘Open for Business’, and Virgin Mobile Qatar kiosks are being set up across Doha. In addition, Villaggio and Landmark malls will host special events, competitions and activities throughout the weekend and over the coming weeks. The full range of Virgin Mobile-hosted events will be publicised on the Virgin Mobile Experience Map at www.virginmobile.com.qa.

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar