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Qatar Telecom unveils its new DVB H service

DOHA — Qatar Telecom (Qtel) unveiled its new DVB H (Digital Video Broadcast - Handheld) service on Monday, through which 13 television channels can be viewed on a specially-enabled mobile phone handset.

Qtel has 1380 of the handsets, manufactured specifically for the Doha Asian games Organising Committee (DAGOC) for a trial during the forthcoming Asian games, which open in Doha next month. The service will be provided free during the games and will be marketed in the country early next year.

Dr Nasser Marafih, CEO of Qtel, told Khaleej Times that Qatar is one of the few countries in the world to offer the service, which is three times better quality than normal TV-over-GSM and also offers stereo sound. Nokia is developing the N92, which is also enabled to receive DVB-H, however its technical staff are currently working with Qtel to make it compatible with the Qtel system. If they succeed, then Nokia92 owners will also have free access to the service during the games, he said.

Qtel is introducing DVB-H for the games using 'Triple Play' technology. The service brings together television and video, high-speed Internet and telephony all over one connection, providing viewers with a very high quality TV image and enhanced viewing experience.

Speaking to the Press, Dr Marafih explained the preparations and tests that Qtel has developed over the past two years to provide full telecommunications facilities for the games — technologies and expanded services that will also be a games legacy and in line with the country's on-going rapid development.

GSM services, he said, have also been upgraded to take account of the fact that during the games, between fifty and sixty thousand people may all be trying to use mobile phones in the same small area.

Qtel has invested QR500 million in new technologies to make sure that local residents, visitors to the games as well as the many millions of people around the world have a great experience.

Qtel systems and services required for the games are now up and working and the company proudly pointed out that delivery in many areas is ahead of plan.

The investment, Dr Marafih said, includes a state-of-the-art high-speed optical capacity network that is capable of delivering high definition television (HDTV) coverage of the games. But significantly too, Qatar's citizens will benefit long into the future through this and all other investments in these very advanced technologies.

Dr Marafih said: "Whilst we here in Qatar are fortunate in that we can be present at the games in the stadiums, there will be millions and millions of people around the world glued to their television sets cheering on their national heroes and national teams. This is made possible by Qtel working in partnership with many other carriers and operators to transmit high quality pictures and images around the globe."

With the influx of many thousands of visitors and sports fans to Qatar, the demand for mobile bandwidth in Qatar will greatly increase Dr Marafih pointed out, adding that Qtel had made preparations for that. "Demand for GSM as well as fixed coverage at the sites has been taken into consideration in addition to the many new hotels and accommodation sites around Doha that all have a need for telephones, Internet access and mobile coverage. We have been closely planning our network coverage especially in-line with the 19 competition games venues as well as the locations where our country's guests will be staying. Our systems are ready for the games but in the unlikely event of a major problem, both our fixed and mobile systems are fully backed-up by emergency systems. When the games are on, then our GSM service will be ready for the huge surge in traffic. By the time the games begin, we will have almost 500 base stations in more than 350 locations across Qatar. We know that coverage in the new high-rise buildings, such as towers, hotels etc need special consideration. For these reasons, we have undertaken a programme of installing indoor solutions that enhance coverage inside buildings. Under this programme, we have currently installed 49 indoor solutions with a further 7 being put in place soon."

Qtel's complement of payphones is now fully 'smart-card' operated avoiding the need for users to depend on having appropriate numbers of cumbersome coins to make calls. Around the country, Qtel have 1,083 payphones installed at convenient locations and through 2006 Qtel have installed and commissioned more than 65 new sites. These new installations have been put in place to meet increased demands from the many thousands of visitors to the games. Qtel expects access to the Internet to be in great demand during the games and has expanded the number of its WiFi access points and introduced a new service called WiMax that provides a much wider 'footprint' for wireless access to the Web.