Q.NBN, Qtel sign fiber broadband network deal

Qatar National Broadband Network Company (Q.NBN) has recently signed a Heads of Agreement (HoA) with Qatar Telecom (Qtel) to support the government’s plan to build a nationwide fibre broadband network.
The HoA is the first step to define a framework through which the two organisations can work together to realise Qatar’s ultimate goal of bringing very high speed broadband services to 95 percent of households and 100 percent of government and businesses in Qatar by 2015.
The new fibre network, to be built by Q.NBN Company, will accelerate fibre penetration to homes and businesses in Qatar, thus enabling telecom operators to more quickly bring the next generation of broadband services to consumers in Qatar.
“Qtel is very much delighted to be part of this HoA and eventually, the final agreement. Qtel will not spare any of its extensive experience and resources in making the Q.NBN a success for the benefit of all living in Qatar. We hope this will pave the way for realising the Emir’s vision for building the knowledge-based society,” said Sheikh Saud bin Nasser Al Thani, Qtel’s Chief Executive Officer.
Mohamed Al Mannai, Q.NBN Chief Executive Officer, said Qtel’s commitment to work with Q.NBN on this important national initiative is a sign of their shared commitment to advancing the society and ensuring the benefits of broadband reach everyone in Qatar.
“Building a National Broadband Network in Qatar requires the close collaboration of all invested stakeholders.I look forward to working with Qtel to reach the final agreement over the coming months and move forward to make Qatar a truly connected nation,” Al Mannai said.
Q.NBN is a fully independent company with the government mandate to accelerate the rollout of a nationwide, open, and accessible high-speed broadband Fiber to the Home (FTTH) network.
The resulting high-speed broadband connectivity will enable the effective use of multimedia and communications applications that are central to developing Qatar’s knowledge economy. Q.NBN will focus solely on the deployment of a passive network infrastructure, efficiently leveraging existing and new infrastructure in Qatar. Q.NBN operates within the existing laws and under license conditions issued by ictQatar.