New spectrum licensing framework taking effect in July

Qatar’s telecoms regulator ictQATAR has finalised the country’s new radio spectrum licensing framework following a public consultation process held in August 2013, with important elements including terms and conditions for all types of radio spectrum licensing and licence templates, and the associated technical schedules for each spectrum type. The framework was developed with the aim of having more flexibility in using licensing tools for regulating spectrum use, for ensuring efficient use of frequencies, to increase transparency and to ensure easy accessibility to necessary information for spectrum users. The framework is intended to be in place by 1 July 2014. To effect this change, the current spectrum licences will be cancelled and replaced with new licences in accordance with the new framework.