Qatar Telecom (Qtel) has upgraded its 3G/3.5G mobile network with a High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) platform across the country. The upgrade more than trebles Qtel’s peak upload speed to 1.4Mbps across its entire network at no extra cost to users. Qtel has also recently doubled its High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) download speeds to 7.2Mbps.
Qtel is strengthening its network and service range as it prepares to face its first competition from start-up mobile operator Vodafone Qatar. The British-backed newcomer this week announced that it expects to launch commercial mobile services this summer after a two-month test phase finishes in May. The test is due to begin on 1 March for 1,000 selected users.