What makes Qatar a connectivity capital of the world?

By: Diego Camberos, Chief Operating Officer, Vodafone Qatar
The last couple of years have been full of many changes, driven by many different variables. During this time, we have witnessed the world quickly transform and move into unfamiliar territory. This has had a tremendous impact on our way of life as well as our goals, fears, hopes and ambitions. And yet, despite all uncertainties, we have all continued to press onward and find new ways to navigate this new global paradigm.

None of this would have been possible without the technologies that we currently have at our disposal, and connectivity is foundational to our success as companies, communities and as a nation. According to Hootsuite’s recent ‘The Global State of Digital 2022’, which features in-depth profiles of more than 230 countries and territories around the world, Qatar ranks top globally in terms of internet adoption, with 2.92 million - 99% of the population - internet users recorded in Qatar in January 2022. Similarly, mobile internet speeds in Qatar have previously been ranked as the fastest in the world, according to the Speedtest Global Index results.

But how exactly has Qatar transformed into one of the connectivity capitals of the world? Here are my thoughts:

5G
The investment of Qatar into technologies such as 5G has been fundamental in determining our status as one of the most connected places globally. At Vodafone, we continue to be a pioneer in 5G network deployment, and 70% of Qatar’s citizens can now access our GigaNet network. We know how important it is to continue enhancing our networks, even in spite of the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, to support the new ways that we are now living and working.

Innovation
The rollout of our 5G network over the past few years has accelerated the development of a world-class communications infrastructure in Qatar. Our continuous innovation in this space, including the advent of technologies such as 5G mmWave which will unlock new user experiences in Augmented Reality or the Internet of Things (IoT), for example, will protect our status as a world leader in connectivity.
 
Fibre
Optical Fibre Networks are still a staple of reliable and accessible internet service, and their importance has been underlined by the pandemic and our increased reliance on remote connectivity. For this reason, we continue to expand our Fibre Network to reach more businesses and consumers across the nation and deliver a resilient, fast and secure digital connection across Qatar. A confidence in our everyday connectivity has been crucial since the advent of COVID-19, which has imposed a ‘new normal’ for work, learning and life in general.

Community
We aim to connect the people of Qatar and support them in their journey towards a better future, by building a digital technology-first society that promotes socioeconomic progress, fosters inclusivity, and prioritises the safety and sustainability of the planet and the environment. The development of a robust digital infrastructure contributes to Qatar‘s long-term growth and prosperity, while enhancing quality of life for everyone. Prioritising and maintaining close-knit relationships with the local community is vital to this.
 
IoT
We’ve witnessed a surge in IoT adoption in Qatar over the last few years, and today our solutions are connecting a whole range of different industries, including manufacturing, transport and logistics, smart meter networks, smart city applications – the list goes on. IoT helps businesses to operate more efficiently, reduce their costs, and stay connected to their employees and customers in new ways, for the benefit of businesses, end-users and the wider economy.
 
This year, we are doubling down on our efforts to use connectivity to foster innovation, promote sustainable activity and showcase the importance of sports to the communities that we work alongside. Our recent projects, in cooperation with our partners, have proven that together we can build a sustainable and prosperous future for all residents and citizens of Qatar. We are proud to play such a big part in delivering this future, especially in what is such a momentous year for our country.
 
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