Qtel has inaugurated a test phase of its LTE network, with hundreds of customers ready to participate in the trial throughout Doha. The operator plans to commercially launch the LTE service by the end of 2012. The Qatar operator began to rollout its LTE network earlier this year and plans to integrate it smoothly with its existing 3G network.

Hundreds of Qtel customers will take part in one of the region’s largest tests of a ultrafast 4G Long-Term-Evolution (LTE) network, which will let customers easily stream high-bandwidth content – and help boost Qatar’s knowledge-based economy – when Qtel commercially launches the service in the end of 2012.

Waleed Al Sayed, Qtel’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “By the end of this year, Qtel customers using the 4G LTE network in Doha will have incredibly fast access to high-bandwidth content such as high-definition (HD) videos and the ability to upload and download big files through the latest generation 4G USB modems and MiFi devices.

Qtel is providing the best 4G LTE network for the people of Qatar, and this test phase is an essential step for ensuring the best possible customer experience.”

Qtel’s 4G LTE network – slated to offer the best penetration in the GCC and will on average offer speeds that are three-to-six times faster than 3G.

Qtel started to rollout its 4G LTE network before Eid, and the company is confident that it will integrate smoothly with the existing 3G network. The launch of the 4G network will eventually improve the experience for all Qtel mobile customers – even those using 2G and 3G devices – since it will enhance network management across the country.

With the launch of the test phase, a group of Qtel customers throughout Doha will test the 4G LTE network using the latest generation 4G devices. The selected group will provide feedback to ensure the smoothest possible experience for customers when the service is commercially-launched in the end of 2012.

As part of the build-up phase, Qtel has installed 100 antennas throughout Doha, including in The Pearl, Katara, West Bay, the Corniche, and Sealine. Earlier, Qtel received the 800 Mhz and 2,600 Mhz bandwidth frequencies from the Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR).

After the trial, Qtel will launch its 4G LTE network to all customers starting in Doha. Customers will need to upgrade their mobile devices so that they are compatible with the 4G LTE network.

“Qtel will work with leading vendors to make sure that 4G mobile devices are available to people living in Qatar at affordable prices,” said Waleed Al Sayed.

Qtel’s 4G will serve as a complementary service to its Qtel Fibre, providing the people in Qatar with ultrafast on-the-go access to the Internet wherever they are.