The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) published the amended versions of the “Class License for the Resale of Retail Telecommunications Services” and the “Class License to Own and/or Operate a Private Telecommunications Network”.
The two Class Licenses were originally issued in 2011 and were amended in 2013. The current amendments aim at updating and enhancing the Class Licenses taking into account the establishment of CRA in 2014 and amendments to the Telecommunications Law in 2017.
According to the Telecommunications Law, a license is required to resell retail telecommunications services or own and/or operate a private telecommunications network. The Licensee must comply with the terms and conditions of the appropriate License and with the Telecommunications Law and applicable regulatory framework. The amended licenses supersede all previous versions and are effective from the date of their issuance.
The resale of retail telecommunications services is an established practice in some fields, for example reselling telecommunications services to hotel guests. All resale of telecommunications services must be according to the related amended Class License.
Private telecommunications networks enable corporations and entities in private and government sectors to ensure reliable, flexible, and secure communications on site and between sites. Owners and/or operators of private telecommunications networks must comply with the provisions of the related amended Class License.
The amended Class Licenses provide clarity to service providers, consumers, and all other stakeholders on the scope and terms and conditions of the licenses. In particular, the Class License for the Resale of Retail Telecommunications Services clarifies the list of parties who are eligible to resell telecommunications services in Qatar, hence limiting the scope for illegal resale activities.
Any person who resells retail Telecommunications Services outside of the scope of the Class License will be infringing the Telecommunications Law and will be exposed to the criminal sanctions in accordance with the provisions of the Telecommunications Law.
