Q-Tel continues wireless and wireline growth

Qatar’s national telco Q-Tel achieved strong growth in its mobile and wireline services during the first quarter of 2006, driving net profits of QAR419 mil1ion (USD115 million), up 47% compared to its 2005 net income of QAR285 million. 1Q06 revenues were QAR951 million, up 46.5% year-on-year from QAR649 million, whilst EBITDA rose 55.7% to QAR590 million. The group’s consolidated mobile customer base grew by 96.4% in the year to 31 March 2006 to reach 1.078 million. Its Omani GSM subsidiary, Nawras, claimed close to 320,300 of the total.