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Siemens is building the first 3G network in Qatar on the Arabian Peninsula. Qatar's telecommunications provider Qatar Telecom (Qtel) has commissioned the Siemens Communications Group to supply and install its 3G/W-CDMA network. Siemens will thus supply 3G packet and switch technologies and also maintain and operate them for a period of one year. In addition, Siemens will install 3G/W-CDMA base stations featuring High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), an extension of 3G/W-CDMA that offers peak data rates of up to 14.4 Mbit/s. The contract is valued at a total of around ?20 million.

In time for the Doha Asian Games in Qatar in December 2006, the world's second-largest sports event after the Olympics, Qtel subscribers and visitors will be able to enjoy 3G applications and services. "As Qtel is the official telecommunications partner for the games, we are serious about our commitment and support towards meeting the world-class technological requirements for the games and ensuring that Qtel also plays a major role in organizing the best Asian games ever", said Dr. Nasser Marafih, CEO of Qatar Telecom.

The evolution of Qtel's GSM/GPRS mobile network to 3G/W-CDMA and HSDPA at a later stage will enable the operator to offer more than 120,000 customers fast mobile internet access, live video and audio programming, as well as the ability to transfer high-resolution digital images and interactive games.

With this contract, Siemens is underscoring its position of market leadership as a supplier of third generation mobile communication technology. Today, 90 percent of all 3G mobile customers worldwide use W-CDMA-based technology from Siemens and NEC.

"Siemens already has a strong position in the GSM/GPRS segment in the Middle East and our strategy is to reflect this in the 3G arena, something we are on a good way to achieving. With Qtel's order, two out of four 3G/W-CDMA contracts in this region have thus far been awarded to Siemens/NEC", said Christoph Caselitz, President of the Mobile Networks Division at Siemens Communications. With an 18 percent market share Siemens is the second-largest mobile provider in this region.

Qtel has been using second generation core network technology from Siemens since 1993. Qtel continues to be the country's sole GSM network operator and W-CDMA licensee, with a subscriber base of more than 600,000 customers.