Vodafone Qatar has received the spectrum license to operate 5G commercially from the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), which replaces the trial license that allowed the Company to conduct 5G trials to date.
Vodafone has achieved strong progress in building out its 5G network, after switching it on in August this year. Vodafone has rolled out its 5G network in key locations across the country including Al Waab, Abu Hamour, Al Aziziya, Al Mamoura, Al Rayyan, Katara Cultural Village, Salwa Road, Souq Waqif and Um Salal Muhummed.
Commenting on this development, Vodafone Qatar’s CEO, Sheikh Hamad Abdulla Jassim Al Thani, said: “Today is a momentous day for Vodafone and Qatar. We are proud to be one of the first operators in the world to be live with 5G commercially. We thank the CRA for their support and dedication to ensuring Qatar has a world class infrastructure that supports the realisation of Qatar National Vision 2030. We are committed to developing the digital system and infrastructure that will contribute to Qatar’s continued growth and prosperity in the coming years. We now look forward to connecting customers to our 5G network to enhance the quality of people’s lives and to help drive the economic growth and productivity in Qatar.
Immediately following their 5G launch in August, Vodafone Qatar marked the connection of its first trial enterprise customer- Gulf Bridge International (GBI) -to its 5G network in Qatar Science and Technology Park. Using a Vodafone 5G router, GBI has been experiencing broadband access at speeds that exceed 1Gbps with a real-time and uninterrupted user experience. From 1 January 2019, GBI will be the first entity to be commercially connected to Vodafone’s 5G network. Moreover, Vodafone Qatar will be the first to commercially connect several consumer customers to its 5G network across Doha starting 1 January 2019.
“We are proud to have been the first company to experience the power of Vodafone’s 5G network and now look forward to benefit from it commercially to enhance our operations. We congratulate Vodafone on officially receiving its 5G license and extend our full support in the journey to accelerate the country towards becoming one of the most technologically advanced in the world,” said Mr. Abdulla Al Ruwali, Executive Director and Managing Director of GBI.
Vodafone’s 5G trials were on full display during Qatar National Day Celebrations in Katara Cultural Village. The Company installed three 5G routers in key locations in Katara that gave thousands of visitors the chance to trial superfast Wi-Fi powered by 5G. Qatar’s gaming fans also got a taste of what 5G provides when they played their favourite online games powered by 5G in the specially dedicated corner of the “Vodafone Village” at Katara.
5G-enabled handsets are predicted to be available in 2019. Vodafone Qatar is in discussions with global device manufactures to ensure customers in Qatar will be one of the first in the world to be able to purchase 5G-enabled devices. Vodafone customers can register their interest now by visiting their nearest Vodafone store.
