Vodafone Qatar announced that it 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 claims it 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.
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, said the Company.
5G-enabled handsets are predicted to be available in 2019. Vodafone Qatar says it 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.
Sheikh Hamad Abdulla Jassim Al Thani, CEO, Vodafone 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.
