Consultation on the Liberalization of the Telecommunications Sector in the State of Qatar

This document outlines the general policy for liberalizing telecommunications in the State of Qatar and invites public comments on a variety of policy issues that are of central importance to the future development of the telecommunications sector in Qatar. This is the first public consultation that ictQATAR has undertaken since its statutory formation in 2004 and the passing of Decree Law (34) of 2006 promulgating the Telecommunications Law (“Telecommunications Law”) by the Emir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani. In keeping with the ‘transparency’ objectives of the Telecommunications Law and international best practice, ictQATAR is conducting an open and public consultation on its proposed liberalization policy in parallel with several related initiatives. These initiatives include creating a framework and processes for regulating the incumbent operator, Qatar Telecom Q.S.C., (“Qtel”), and awarding two new licenses for the provision of (1) public mobile networks and services (“Second Mobile License”) and (2) public fixed networks and services (“Second Fixed License”) in competition with Qtel in the State of Qatar. ictQATAR welcomes written comments in response to this Consultation Document from any individuals, companies or organizations with an interest in the development of Qatar's telecommunications sector. Comments received will be considered by ictQATAR as part of the process of developing policies to direct and guide the sector liberalization process and to implement a new regulatory framework.