Siemens to build Qatarnet’s 3G network

Qatar’s monopoly cellco Qatarnet has contracted Siemens to supply it with a UMTS network, ahead of the proposed launch of commercial 3G services in the capital Doha by the end of the year. The USD24 million deal will see the German vendor commission, supply and install a complete W-CDMA network for Qatarnet, including base stations capable of supporting an upgrade to HSDPA services. Qatarnet has already begun trials of 3G and is targeting 125,000 subscribers within the first two years of operation.