8/4/2019 Qtel LTE Project Update

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For immediate release

4 October 2011

Qtel Launches LTE Project for Fastest, Largest and MostComprehensive 4G Network in Qatar

More than QR200 Million Investment will Deliver Mobile Speeds of Up

to 150 Mbps and Support Knowledge-Based Economy

Doha, Qatar

Qtel today announced the launch of a major new Long-Term Evolution (LTE)programme, which will deliver the fastest and largest 4G network in Qatar, tosupport the national plan to boost the knowledge-based economy.

The project will deploy nearly 900 Base Stations across the country, delivering thebest penetration for 4G coverage in the GCC region. Implementation will beginimmediately, adding to the strength and speed of Qtels Broadband network,which is already one of the best in the region.

The programme will provide ongoing improvements to mobile Broadband Internet

services for customers in 4G coverage areas, and offer potential downloadspeeds of as much as 150 Mbps on mobile phones and devices.

Announcing the project, Waleed Al Sayed, Chief Operating Officer, Qtel said:Qtel continues to invest in the Broadband Qatar strategy, which aims to provideone of the fastest, most reliable Broadband networks in the world to the people ofQatar. Following a comprehensive study of LTE technology, we are nowpositioned to build the largest 4G network in Qatar, offering the fastest speedsand most comprehensive coverage.

Matching the incredible speeds offered to homes and businesses by the

deployment of Qtel Fibre, this project will offer high-speed and high qualityInternet for mobile devices.

Qtel was among the first companies in the region to trial this technology. Wecompleted the test phase for this technology with two potential vendors in July,and it was extremely successful. Previously, we have said we would launch thistechnology when it reached maturity and when a full range of devices wereavailable. We have received assurances that a full range of devices will belaunched in Qatar over the next year, and have begun the launch process for thistechnology, he added.

LTE is a wireless broadband technology that supports roaming Internet access viacell phones and mobile devices, and which seamlessly interworks with 2G and 3G

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networks. Because of the significant improvements in download speeds and

quality, it has been called a fourth generation (4G) technology.

In Qatar, the service will provide customers with universal connectivity atincredible downlink speeds of up to 150 Mbps for a broad range of services,including high-definition (HD) video on demand, interactive gaming, Mozaic TVand high-bandwidth content.

One of the major aims of the Broadband Qatar Strategy is to offer ultrafast speedsfor both fixed line and mobile Broadband customers throughout Qatar.

Qtel successfully completed a nationwide trial of LTE technology over the

summer, and is in discussion with some of the worlds leading companies in thisarea to support the technology roll-out.

Qtel has already completed a number of significant network upgrades in recentyears to offer mobile Internet at higher speeds and significantly more value forcustomers. Qtels 3G network is currently one of the most advanced 3G networksin the world.

During the roll-out, 4G coverage will be provided as an option in a growingnumber of areas in Qatar, starting with highly populated urban areas such asDoha and expanding across the country. Qtel will work with a number of leading

vendors to ensure that devices capable of using 4G technology are available forthe people of Qatar at affordable prices.To support the service, Qtel will offer Wi-Fi offloading, so that customers usingwireless Internet will be able to switch seamlessly to Wi-Fi hotspots during periodsof peak demand.

In addition, the company is already working with businesses and educationalinstitutions to ensure that all sectors of the community are able to benefit from theenhanced speed and reliability of LTE technology, as part of the Broadband Qatarstrategy. Studies show that Broadband roll-outs can make a direct impact to

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and to exam results for school children andstudents.

According to the results of the trial study, offering speeds of 150 Mbps will bepractically possible in Qatar using 20 MHz bandwidth. To provide thiscomprehensive national service, Qtel will require new frequency and is discussingthis issue with ictQATAR.

Qtel today also thanked ictQATAR for allocating the required 800 MHz spectrumto conduct the LTE trial, which has enabled the company to take this bold step

forward for customers across the country.

The launch of a comprehensive national strategy for LTE marks another importantstep forward in the close relationship between Qtel and the regulator, as all

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parties work together to drive the growth of the knowledge-based economy.

- END -About QtelQatar Telecom (Qtel) provides both fixed and mobile telecommunications servicesin the state of Qatar and has a presence in 17 countries. Our vision is to beamong the top 20 telecommunications companies in the world by 2020 throughexpansion in the MENA region and Southeast Asia.