NEWS
QATAR
Ooredoo Qatar and Nokia Networks
boost Supernet
Ooredoo Qatar and Nokia Networks have
announced the launch of LTE-Advanced
(LTE-A) three-band carrier aggregation
technology on the Ooredoo Supernet.
Nokia technology enables the operator
to provide higher data speeds of up to
375 Mbps to its customers.
The higher speeds are already available
in several high-traffic areas of Doha,
including West Bay, the Corniche and
Katara Cultural Village. With this new
technology, people using Category 9
(CAT 9)-capable handsets can benefit
from data intensive services, including
ultra high-definition video download, and
upcoming trends, including virtual reality.
Waleed Al Sayed, Chief Executive Officer,
Ooredoo Qatar, said: “We’re aiming
to further improve the broadband
experience for our customers with faster
data speeds and an excellent network
performance. Nokia Networks is helping
us to meet these goals and we look
forward to deploying the latest technical
achievements as we continue to enhance
our world-class network.”
Bernard Najm, Vice President and Head of
Middle East and Africa, Nokia Networks,
said: “We’re happy to support Ooredoo
Qatar in its mission to provide topquality services to its customers. After we
successfully demonstrated 600 Mbps CAT
11 speeds in October, we have now helped
Ooredoo launch the three-band carrier
aggregation technology to deliver higher
data throughput with superior reliability.”
Market worries hit
smartphone sales
As mobile phone companies go aggressive to grab Qatar’s
market share in the new year, the local electronic market is
witnessing a perceptible slow down. The sales of electronic
gadgets and other items, especially the high-end smartphones,
have witnessed a decline over the last few months in Qatar
compared to the same period a year ago.
There is not one but a combination of factors responsible for the
dip in the demand, which include absence of major technological
innovations in the latest smartphones; stiff competition from
relatively inexpensive Chinese brands with similar features; and
rapidly changing consumer behaviour. Aiming at boosting the
declining sales, most outlets are offering heavy discounts and
attractive combo-offers, even on flagship smartphones that were
sold like hotcakes immediately after their launch.
“Qatar’s smartphone market is different from other markets.
First, the mobile penetration here is very high. A significant
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INTELLIGENTCIO
percentage of population in Qatar already keeps more than one
smartphones. Secondly, a lot of tech-savvy customers look for
value addition and innovation in their new phones. Changing
mobile phones frequently is no longer a popular thing here to do,”
a top official of a Korean electronics giant told The Peninsula.
For instance, smartphones such as Samsung’s Galaxy S6, priced
at QR3,099 with 32 GB and 4G specifications (equipped with all
the other latest features like Lollipop OS, 3GB RAM and 16MP
camera), are being sold at just about QR1,999, nearly at a
massive discount of over 35% at the market retail price.
www.intelligentcio.com