Qtel slashes data charges by 90 per cent

As rival operator Vodafone Qatar prepares to launch, Qatar’s incumbent and current mobile monopoly, Qtel, slashed data rates by 90 per cent for its mobile broadband services in a highly competitive move late last month.

The high-speed mobile Internet services in Qatar are
provided over 3G and 3.5G networks, and the heavily discounted prices are one of many campaigns expected to be offered by Qtel before Vodafone launches, in an effort to gain customer loyalty.

Through the mobile broadband service and special data- only SIM cards, users can access the Internet via a USB modem or any data device in areas across the country at similar speeds to those enjoyed by customers on an ADSL broadband connection.

Under the new programme, all out-of-bundle charges for mobile broadband services will be reduced by 90 per cent, setting prices at QAR0.1 (US$0.027) for every additional megabyte downloaded over the data allowance.

Qtel will continue to offer Lite, Plus and Max packages, offering different levels of data allowance, but users will now pay significantly less if they exceed their allotted download level.