Virgin Mobile Qatar opens up shop

Mobile virtual network operator Virgin Mobile has launched a service in Qatar, and is Qatar’s first youth-focused mobile offering, delivered by Virgin Mobile in a brand partnership with Qtel.

As part of a range of new products launched this week, Virgin Mobile Qatar will offer a prepaid mobile service that combines the coverage and call quality benefits of Qtel’s mobile network with the unique brand experience delivered by Virgin Group.

Virgin’s Richard Branson and Qtel’s Nasser Marafih at the launch ceremony of Virgin Mobile Qatar

“Virgin Mobile is the fastest-growing and most successful business in Virgin’s history, with more than fifteen million customers around the world. Virgin Mobile Qatar is an entirely new type of mobile experience, which everybody can start enjoying from today,” said Richard Branson, chairman and founder of Virgin Group. “I am proud to have partnered with Qtel to make Virgin Mobile Qatar our first mobile launch in the Middle East, and I would like to invite the people of Qatar to come on in and enjoy the fun. We’re open.”

Virgin Mobile Qatar will offer a simple all-day tariff, and also provide 180-day airtime – the longest-lasting mobile airtime validity in the country.

Virgin Mobile Qatar promises to provide a value-oriented, flexible service. Local calls will cost QR 0.55 (US$0.15) per minute for the first five minutes each day, and QR 0.30 per minute after that. Mobile Internet will cost just QR1 per megabyte.

The launch of Virgin Mobile Qatar is the eighth Virgin Mobile branded operation in the world, following on from launches in the UK, Australia, USA, Canada, France, South Africa, and India.

The launch of Virgin Mobile Qatar beats regional MVNO Friendi Mobile to the post. Friendi Mobile operates in Oman and is soon to launch in Jordan.