2010 /  Sup r e me C ouncil

of Information & Communication

T echnol ogy  A n nual Report
 Contents

1/ Message from the Secretary General

2/ Building a solid foundation

for a knowledge economy

6/ Regul atory Authorit y and

Infrastructure

18/ Cultivating Workforce and

Market Grow th in ict

24/ Serving the Public

38/ ictQ ATAR REGULATORY AUTHORITY

Financial SUMMARY

For ictQATAR, the past year brought not only significant
growth, but also tremendous maturity in all realms of
the ICT market. Our numerous efforts to spur economic
growth and competition, enhance public services, and
enrich society for all reached significant milestones.
Competition in the telecoms market is thriving,
bringing more choice, greater quality, and enhanced
services to consumers. ictQATAR continues to develop
a more robust legal and regulatory framework to meet
the needs of the marketplace. Qatar’s new
e-commerce law was ratified this year and ictQATAR
is working to develop its bylaws to help organizations
and individuals gain confidence in conducting business
online. And we remain committed to transparency,
which is reflected in the publishing of our Regulatory
Authority’s financial summary in this report.
Through a combination of public and private
investment, a new high-powered satellite, Es’Hail, is
being built, which will serve the entire MENA region
with dramatically enhanced availability and quality of
communications services. ictQATAR helped establish
the Qatar Satellite Company to lead numerous satellite
initiatives. Other major government led infrastructure
improvements, including international submarine
cables, continue to improve broadband access.
At the same time, we continue to work to ensure
that everyone shares in the benefits of ICT through
initiatives to educate all members of society on how
they can use technology to enhance their social
interconnectivity and professional success. We have
already provided free online training courses to nearly
2,000 people and opened Mada, Qatar’s Center for
Assistive Technology, to connect people with disabilities
Dr. Hessa Sultan Al-Jaber
ictQATAR Secretary General
to the technologies that can improve their lives. We
have also developed a framework for implementing
virtual office environments in Qatar to create new
employment opportunities, benefit employers, and
create a better work-life balance for employees.
ictQATAR will also continue to devote considerable
resources to protecting children online, and we are
currently conducting a comprehensive study on how
technology is affecting our youth’s lives and aspirations.
But this is just the beginning. With a strong
foundation in place, we have turned our sights
toward the future, including the needed preparations / 1
for Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup. This year,
ictQATAR led a strategic planning process that
resulted in the development of our 2015 National ICT
Strategy. Though our achievements have already
brought numerous benefits for both individuals and
organizations, we will take bold actions in the
coming years.
We will lead efforts to improve access to information
and increase effectiveness of public services. We will
also guarantee the rollout and installation of a
national, affordable, high-speed broadband network.
We will work toward developing an innovative and
entrepreneurial market and increase the quantity of
content on the Internet—including Arabic, newly
digitized, and other local material. And we will
enhance the digital literacy and skills of all members
of society.
Everyone in Qatar should feel greatly empowered by
the progress we have made. I am confident we are well
on our way to even more incredible advancements.
Building a Solid Foundation
For a Knowledge Economy
 Annual Report 2010 

In the five years since ictQATAR was established as the independent / 3
regulator and driver of ICT innovation, Qatar has made enormous
advances, leading to rapid economic development and improvements
in government services, education, and healthcare. Through numerous
policies and programs ictQATAR is connecting people from all sectors
of society to technologies that enrich their lives and inspire confidence
in Qatar’s future.

Strong and compelling results validate the solid foundation ictQATAR

has built for an innovative and entrepreneurial ICT sector, and the
continuing success of these efforts points to even greater potential
for future growth and evolution.
ictQATAR 
2 0 10 / 150% Mobile penetration, up from
120% since 2009. And a t welve-fold incre ase
in interne t subscribers since 2001. (ictQATAR
strategic pl an, ’09 figures are from previous l andscape report)
Over the past five years, investment in the ICT
market by the public and private sectors has
rapidly increased. In 2010, the total value of the ICT
market in Qatar was $2.1 billion, and numerous market
research studies indicate that ICT firms see Qatar as a
potential technology hub and want to invest in the state.
Qatar’s telecommunications infrastructure
has swiftly expanded and evolved. The continued
growth of next-generation access networks with
ultrafast connectivity has made services and
technology more prolific and reliable. Investment
4 /   in a new high-powered communications satellite,
along with a growing network of submarine cables,
will further increase bandwidth and speed.
Market liberalization has already yielded
tremendous benefits to consumers and
businesses. With increased competition, prices
for mobile and fixed services have dropped, but with
more people using services, total revenues for the
sector grew precipitously, increasing by QAR 50 million
from 2009 to 2010. Revenues for mobile services alone
totaled QAR 1.1 billion.
Government has also been an effective market
driver of ICT usage and adoption. Qatar is ranked
third in the world for ICT government readiness,
according to the World Economic Forum’s Global
Information Technology Report 2009–10. Through
the enhanced sophistication and growth of many
government services, especially Hukoomi, Qatar’s
national e-government portal, ictQATAR has worked
to foster a technology-friendly environment for small
and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
ICT adoption by all sectors of society has
increased. Market research commissioned by
ictQATAR found that:
• In 2010, 89 percent of households have a computer,
compared to 71 percent in 2008; 85 percent
of individuals also have a computer, compared to
54 percent in 2008
• Broadband usage has jumped from 41 percent of
households in 2008 to 70 percent for 2010
• Among government employees, more than 90
percent received computer skills and text-processing
training in the past year
• 60 percent of all businesses are connected to the
Internet, and 58 percent have broadband
connections
• Close to half (49 percent) of all public and private
hospitals use electronic storage for patient data
The market and users have become more
sophisticated. As more companies learn how to
leverage technological applications to streamline their
operations, Qatar’s IT software market is growing faster
than any other in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Overall, 1.8 million mobile handsets were purchased
in Qatar in the past year, with 30 percent in the
smartphone category, costing $200 or more. Mobile
penetration has also increased to 150 percent this
year, up from 120 percent in 2009. Since 2001, there
has been a twelve-fold increase in Internet
subscribers.

ICT has become more accessible and safe for
everyone in Qatar. The growth of Qatar’s ICT market
is also evident in the widespread access to ICT for all
members of society. In the past year, ictQATAR opened
Mada, the Center for Assistive Technology. Though it
just opened its doors in July, Mada has already served
more than 200 people, providing services and guidance
to increase access for those with disabilities.
The launch of the Safe Space website also provides
a valuable resource to families, many of whom
are concerned about the risks their children might
encounter online, including cyber-bullying and
inappropriate content. This website will help to
enhance parents’ and teachers’ comfort level with
children using the Internet.
Moving Toward 2015 :
Qatar’s Five-Year
Strategic ICT Plan
One of ictQATAR’s major accomplishments this year
was the adoption of an aggressive strategic plan
that will set the pace and goals for progress over
the next five years. A committee of public and private
stakeholders representing all sectors of society
collaborated in crafting the plan.
Building a knowledge economy—the plan’s
overarching goal—requires new ways of thinking
and adoption of unconventional business models.
By following this comprehensive blueprint, ictQATAR
will ensure momentum and progress in building
a world-class ICT market and society by reaching the
goals outlined in the plan.
Annual Report 2010 
The total estimated investment for the implementation
of this strategy is QAR 6.2 billion over the five-year
period, which includes QAR 4.3 billion of capital
expenditure and QAR 1.9 billion of operational
expenditure.
To drive ictQATAR in realizing its vision, the National
ICT Plan includes four main spheres of action:
1/ Public Service Delivery: Improve access and
increase effectiveness of public services. Create
social benefits from increasing volumes of digital
information. / 5
2/ Infrastructure and Environment: Guarantee
the rollout and installation of a national, affordable,
high-speed broadband network with public and
private investment.
3/ Industry Development: Develop an innovative and
entrepreneurial ICT market, improve the ICT skills
and capabilities of the workforce, create economic
benefits from increasing the quantity of content on
the Internet—including Arabic, newly digitized, and
other local material.
4/ L iteracy, Skills, and Inclusion: Enhance digital
literacy and skills, and improve access and usage
across all sectors of society.
There are 11 different programs that exist under
these spheres of action, comprising 56 actual projects
that will be implemented over the next five years.
In the pages of this 2010 annual report, you will read
about Qatar’s progress and accomplishments in several
different spheres, and how the strategic plan will build
on this rapid pace of development in the future.
Regulatory Authority
and Infrastructure
 Annual Report 2010 

Competition in the telecommunications market is thriving in Qatar. Market

data indicates that growth in Qatar’s telecommunications market continues
at a steady pace:

· 17 percent growth in DSL subscriptions, with a 50 percent growth

in the number of consumers subscribing to “triple play”—a
combination package of broadband Internet, television, and landline
telephone service (Qtel report)

· Compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 139 percent of mobile

subscribers from 2006 to 2009 (IDC)
/ 7
· Rapid deployment of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) lines
· 39 percent increase in mobile subscriptions since 2009
· 11,000 new fixed-line subscriptions in Qatar in 2010
· By the end of June 2010, a year after it entered the market, Vodafone
had garnered 20 percent of the market in terms of subscribers and 16
percent of the revenue generated from telecoms services.

The continued and rapid evolution of ICT in Qatar requires policies and
programs that encourage and facilitate growth through transparency and
fairness. It also requires a state-of-the art communications infrastructure
that enables businesses and individuals to easily implement and utilize new
technologies, and sophisticated security measures to ensure that
everything runs smoothly.

As demand for services and bandwidth surged over the past year, ictQATAR
stayed ahead of the curve, implementing its legal mandate to not only meet
current needs, but ensure that future ones are met.
ictQATAR 
Continuing the Era of Telecoms
Competition and Choice
With the issuing of the second fixed license in
Qatar to Vodafone Qatar in April 2010, ictQATAR has
completed the second major phase of liberalization
of its telecommunications sector.
Vodafone Qatar is now able to provide fixed telephone
and data services to consumers, businesses, and
government as well as other services such as leased
lines, international connectivity, and VSAT services. As
8 /   the holder of both fixed and mobile telecommunications
licenses, Vodafone will also be able to provide
converged services involving both mobile and fixed
networks such as fixed/mobile data packages, if it
chooses to do so.
Promoting Growth,
Transparency, and Competition
ictQATAR continues to develop a more robust legal
and regulatory framework. In 2010 numerous policies
were introduced to meet the needs of the marketplace.
E-commerce L aw
To encourage businesses and government entities to
migrate more of their transactions online, an August
2010 Emiri decree enacted the Electronic Commerce
and Transactions Law (e-Law).
The law makes online communications and financial
transactions legally enforceable, establishing
protocols for digital signatures, electronic documents,
and authentication of payment. By enacting this law,
the protections offered to business and consumers
are greatly expanded, along with ictQATAR’s
regulatory mandate.
The extensive law includes provisions designating
ictQATAR as the agency responsible for domain name
management. It is also the first electronic commerce
law in the Arab region to include consumer protection
provisions.
In drafting the law, ictQATAR sought input from
relevant government entities and businesses, and
aligned its policies with international best practices
from the United Nations, the European Union,
and other countries and organizations to ensure
consistency.
Q ATAR DOMAIN NAMES
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and
Numbers (ICANN) approved ictQATAR’s authority
to assign domain names in October. ictQATAR is also
in the process of adopting a ccTLD (country code
top-level domain) and second-tier domain name
registration model.
This system is expected to lead to reduced prices
and better quality services for end users by giving
them options for creating and managing their own
websites. Previously, only Qtel offered these services.
Opening up the market to competition often has an
impact on increasing the usage of online transactions,
particularly among individuals and SMEs.
 Annual Report 2010 

Marke t grow th 2008 –2010

Source: Qtel Quarterly Reports and Vodafone Management Presentations

3,000,000

2,500,000

2,000,000

1,500,000

1,000,000 Mobile
Fixed Lines
200,000
Internet
100,000 Triple Play
0 Broadband Lines
Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2
2008 2008 2008 2009 2009 2009 2009 2010 2010

Another related development is the rollout of a new
domain naming system in Arabic. Once implemented,
Internet domains ending in the Arabic equivalent
of “.qatar” (.‫ )قطر‬can be registered in Qatar’s native
Arabic language. Qatar was one of the first countries
to apply for a non-Latin domain-naming system, which
will extend the reach of ICT in Qatar.
For businesses and individuals, Qatar domain names
will be a valuable asset in distinguishing themselves in
the ever-growing Internet realm, helping them connect
with others locally and globally, while giving them a
distinctly Qatari identification.
This will also encourage the plan for Qatar to serve
as a hub for Arabic content worldwide. Right now, there
is a significant demand that has not been met—only
1 percent of the content available online is Arabic, even
though this market represents 5 percent of the world’s
population.
The domains will be managed by ictQATAR through the
Qatar Domains Registry, which will be launched in 2011.
RADIO SPECTRUM ALLOCATION and
MANAGEMENT
Advances in communications technology are limitless,
but the available spectrum that makes some of these
advances accessible is a finite resource. Radio
stations, cell phone operators, broadcast networks,
and aircraft control towers need separate frequencies
to operate effectively. As more technologies are
introduced, the demands for radio spectrum grow and
must be carefully regulated.
Bands of spectrum exist in layers, and it is the role
of those who regulate radio spectrum to allocate
frequencies so technologies and devices using radio
spectrum can operate without interference. As the
regulatory authority body that monitors access to
spectrum, ictQATAR’s role is to carefully balance
public and commercial interests in deciding allocation
and assignment.
To meet this goal, ictQATAR developed a proposed
National Frequency Allocation Plan, and completed a
public review of its policy for allocating and assigning
radio spectrum in 2010. The policy will be implemented / 9
from 2011 onward, and will ensure that the following
objectives are met:
• Provide a transparent, nondiscriminatory approach
to spectrum management
• Promote economic and societal benefits for all
spectrum users
• Ensure public safety communications needs are met
• Ensure interoperability of all available
communications technologies
• Support and promote innovation and competition
• Reduce regulatory barriers to radio frequency access
• Reserve appropriate spectrum for future innovative
technologies
ictQATAR 
2 0 10 / 39% incre ase in mobile
subscrip t ions since 2 0 0 9. (Qtel Quarterly
Repor ts and Voda fone M anagement Presentations )
Cl ass Licenses
ictQATAR issued two telecommunications Class
Licenses in 2010. These licenses are the first of many
Class Licenses that will form an important part of the
telecommunications licensing regime.
Under these Class Licenses, persons possessing,
operating, or installing certain types of devices or
telecommunications equipment will no longer have to
apply to ictQATAR for a license to do so. There are no
license or spectrum fees.
10 /   One Class License authorizes short-range devices
(SRDs), which utilize radio transmitters to provide
communications capabilities at a low radio frequency
power, minimizing the chances of causing interference
with other radio equipment. Examples of these types of
devices include baby monitors, hearing aids, home alarm
systems, garage door openers, and meter readers.
ictQATAR also created a Class License for Type
Approved Camel Racing Equipment, which streamlines
the approval process for use, operation, and
installation of the equipment. Similar to the SRD
license, this license allows any person to own and use
camel racing equipment without having to apply for a
separate Class License. The equipment must, however,
be in compliance with the terms and conditions of
the Class License and operate within the authorized
frequency bands.
For both licenses, any person or entity wishing to
import and sell SRDs or camel racing equipment
in Qatar will still need to obtain Type Approval from
ictQATAR, along with the approval for dealing in
telecommunications equipment.
ictQATAR is in the process of finalizing an online type
approval register which will contain detailed
information on all equipment type approved by
ictQATAR for sale and importation. When the registry
is complete, commercial importers will no longer have
to apply to ictQATAR for Type Approval if they are
authorized by ictQATAR to sell telecommunications
equipment.
REGULATORY ACCOUNTING System
ictQATAR published its instructions for service
providers on the implementation of the Regulatory
Accounting System (RAS) this year. This sets
forth the system to help demonstrate service
provider compliance with cost-orientation and
non-discriminatory obligations for regulated services.
Under the Telecommunications Law and By-Law,
ictQATAR has specific objectives and powers to ensure
that the prices and charges of service providers are
efficiently cost based and appropriately applied
to products and services offered at a wholesale or
retail level.

The RAS describes a set of systems, processes,
policies, and procedures that enable a dominant
service provider (DSP) to establish a record-keeping
system to ensure that it remains in compliance—by
keeping track of revenues, costs, assets, and capital
employed; calculating tracing and analyzing costs in
order to demonstrate compliance with cost-orientation
and non-discrimination obligations.
Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT)
Licensing
After issuing a licensing process to grant and manage
additional VSAT licensees in Qatar, ictQATAR awarded
licenses to three operators to provide VSAT services
in Qatar in 2010. The licenses were awarded following
a competitive and transparent application process,
involving extensive review by ictQATAR. The
companies chosen were CapRock Communications,
QSAT Communications, and RigNet Qatar.
VSAT technology uses a system of satellites to provide
telecommunications services to closed user groups.
This technology is essential for some of Qatar’s most
robust industries, such as oil and gas. Many of the
offshore rigs used by these companies require VSAT
technology for secure communications.
Annual Report 2010 
Numbering AND PORTABILITY
As utilization of ICT among citizens and business has
grown in Qatar, so has the demand for telephone
numbers. In recognition of the potential limitations this
situation could create in the future, ictQATAR took
swift and proactive action this year to ensure that
demand for telephone numbers, both fixed and mobile,
will be met for years to come.
At the end of July, ictQATAR implemented a national
numbering plan that included transitioning all phone
numbers from seven to eight digits. By repeating
the first digit of each existing number, individuals / 11
and businesses followed a simple, straightforward
procedure to modify their numbers in compliance
with the plan.
The transition process to new numbers was successfully
completed without any service disruptions. ictQATAR
led the process, forming the National Numbering
Committee, and collaborating with existing providers,
Vodafone and Qtel, to plan and prepare for this change.
ictQATAR 
2 0 10 / 36,000,000
mobile and 9,000,000 fixed numbers
cre ated by ictQATAR’s new
numbering pl an. ( ictQATAR)
In addition, ictQATAR also conducted a comprehensive
public awareness campaign to maximize public
knowledge of the change, and ensure that citizens
were aware of the rationale for the effort.
With a projected doubling of Qatar’s population by
2015 and related economic growth, this transition was
vital to ensure that the ICT needs of business and
individual consumers continue to be met. The new plan
created an additional 36 million mobile and 9 million
fixed numbers, surpassing the highest forecasted
demand for the next 20 years.
12 /   lodging a complaint, the evidence necessary in support
In 2011, mobile and fixed number portability will be
implemented in Qatar. This means phone users will be
able to transfer their existing numbers to another
service provider. Under the current system, consumers
seeking to switch between providers Vodafone and
Qtel are unable to keep their phone numbers after
changing over.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION FRAMEWORK
The Telecommunications Law, By-Law, and licenses
set out processes for resolving different types of
disputes that arise in the telecommunications sector.
ictQATAR has already resolved several
interconnection and access disputes, disputes
between service providers, and disputes between
service providers and their customers.
Recently, ictQATAR issued Dispute Resolution Rules
to deal with complaints between service providers
that do not fall within the determination process for
access and interconnection disputes.
The rules outline procedures for lodging and resolving
service provider complaints, including the process for
of and in defense of a complaint, and the resolution
process and outcomes.
CONSUMER PROTECTION AND COMPLAINTS-
HANDLING PROCESS
ictQATAR was the first telecommunications regulatory
authority in the GCC region to include customer
protection provisions in its Telecommunications Law
and licenses.
Since the Telecommunications Law was enacted
in 2006, ictQATAR has continued to develop its
consumer protection function in cooperation with
Qtel and Vodafone Qatar’s initiatives in this area.
ictQATAR has a legal objective and mandate to
increase consumer benefits and safeguard their
interests, which extend to setting rules for tariff
 Annual Report 2010 

pace of broadband grow th

Source: IDC Telecommunications Research 2010

Units in ‘000s Units in ‘000s

3500 300,000
3000 250,000
2500
200,000
2000
150,000
1500
100,000
1000 Mobile Broadband Lines
500 50,000 CAGR (06–09) = 139%

0 0 Fixed Broadband Lines

CAGR (09–13) = 19.6%
2006 2007 2008 2009 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
CAGR (06–09) = 139%

regulation and criteria for quality of service, and
monitoring the terms and conditions for service
provision.
ictQATAR is empowered to receive and resolve
complaints and disputes between service providers
and consumers when the parties cannot resolve the
issues themselves. ictQATAR established a telephone
hotline and email address for consumer inquiries and
complaints.
Generally, a service provider must try to resolve the
complaints of its customers within 30 calendar days,
following which a customer can contact ictQATAR if
the complaint or dispute cannot be resolved.
In some cases, ictQATAR has issued orders to service
providers to pay refunds, replace equipment, carry out
installations, correct bills and accounts, connect
services within a specialized timeframe, and cease
and desist from certain conduct. Any decision by
ictQATAR to resolve a complaint or dispute is final and
binding.
DETERMINATION REACHED in Dispute
BETWEEN COMPETITORS
ictQATAR’s recent success in effectively handling
enforcement and compliance disputes between
telecommunications competitors is one of the clearest
indications of how firmly competition regulation has
taken hold. On July 22, 2010, ictQATAR resolved a
dispute between competitors Vodafone and Qtel
regarding Qtel’s provision of Virgin Mobile–branded
services. ictQATAR issued an administrative decision
on the matter that was consistent with the
Telecommunications Law and international best
/ 13
practices.
As the telecommunications regulatory authority,
ictQATAR resolved the matter by addressing
anti-competitive and other conduct by applying the
Telecommunications Law and dispute resolution
rules made under the law. This situation was the
first application of the rules made under the Telecom-
munications Law. The decision is published on
ictQATAR’s website.

Both Qtel and Vodafone Qatar have invested

significant resources in improving legal compliance
with consumer protection and complaint-handling
requirements, as well as the quality of their customer
service centers and self-service centers in Qatar.

To raise consumer awareness of customer rights and

service provider obligations, ictQATAR regularly issues
consumer alerts and information on its website.
Es’Hail Satellite:
Expanding Communications Capacity

In May, ictQATAR announced it had entered into a

joint investment with Eutelstat to build, launch, and
operate Es’Hail, a high-powered communications
satellite. The satellite, which will operate in the
orbital slot 25.5 degrees East, will vastly increase
communications capabilities in Qatar and the
Middle East and North African regions.

This move represents ictQATAR’s most significant

public-private partnership to date, and is the first of
many planned investments in satellite technology.

By making this investment, ictQATAR will be able

to provide Qatar and the surrounding Middle East
and North African region with drastically enhanced
availability and quality of communications services,
including broadband capabilities. At the same
time, through providing the technology for these
services, ictQATAR is developing a sustainable
domestic satellite industry.

Two months after finalizing their partnership,

ictQATAR and Eutelstat announced they had signed
a contract with Space Systems/Loral to build the
satellite, which is planned for launch in early 2013.
 Annual Report 2010 

broadband take-up in q atar

Source: Qtel Quarterly Reports and Vodafone Management Presentations
160,000

140,000

120,000

100,000

80,000

60,000
Total Number of Internet Lines
40,000
Internet DSL
20,000 Internet Dial-up
0 Internet VPN/MPLS &
Dedicated Access
Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2
2008 2008 2008 2009 2009 2009 2009 2010 2010

Building Communications Broadband accessibility will continue to benefit Qatar

in a variety of ways:
Infrastructure and Capacity
• Economic Competitiveness: Solidifies Qatar’s
Qatar has experienced tremendous growth in
status as a regional hub for ICT, enabling the country
broadband capacity over the last year with 63 percent
to compete for world-class events, including its
of households connected to broadband networks
recent successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup.
with minimum speeds of 1 megabit per second.
It also stimulates investment and growth beyond the
To expand on this capacity in the future, ictQATAR
established oil and gas sectors.
is developing a strategy that can utilize the best
infrastructure possible and a combination of fixed • Social Impact: Ensures efficient delivery of
and wireless technologies. healthcare, education, and government services.

A ubiquitous high-speed broadband network provides
vastly increased bandwidth for managing huge
data volume simultaneously and accurately. It is vital
for improving and increasing the speed and flow of
information.
Building a first-class broadband network requires
collaboration between government agencies,
telecommunications providers, content providers,
property developers, and consumers. To facilitate
this, ictQATAR is spearheading plans to build the
Qatar National Broadband Network (QNBN),
and we remain committed in its role as a convener
between the country’s various stakeholders.
• SMEs: Changes the way industry operates, allowing / 15
small and medium enterprises to leverage facilities
and capabilities that were previously only accessible
to larger companies.
• Consumers: Provides greater choice and flexibility
to individual consumers, such as “triple play”
services, faster access to mobile broadband
services, and enhanced availability of local and
relevant online content.
All of these advances further reinforce the cycle of
positive development. Perhaps the greatest proof of
their intended effect is the impact these efforts have
had on overall usage. Despite cheaper prices for
services, revenues for telecommunications providers
have increased by QAR 50 million from the first quarter
of 2009 to the first quarter of 2010. This indicates that
the amount and type of services consumers are using
have grown in tandem with increased access.
ictQATAR 
2 0 10 / 100,000+
The total number of iPark service
users. ( ictQATAR)
iParks
The provision of free wireless Internet service in three
parks has been so successful that ictQATAR is
expanding this service to two more parks—the
Corniche Al-Khur and Al-Wakrah—with planned
completion in 2011. This iParks initiative is part of
ictQATAR’s strong commitment to connecting citizens
and residents of all backgrounds to the technologies
that will enrich their lives.
Currently, Rumailah, Sheraton, and Dahl Al-Hamam
offer the free service. Based on market research on
16 /   user levels from 2009 to 2010, the service is widely
popular, with the average number of users per month
for all three parks topping 10,000, and the total number
of users for the entire year exceeded 100,000.
Protecting Str ategic Asse ts
The continued evolution of telecommunications in
Qatar depends on the smooth and uninterrupted
functioning of critical infrastructures. These
infrastructures tend to be complex and highly
interdependent systems that control power grids, oil
and gas production, financial transactions, healthcare,
water distribution, and government operations.
As the national security team for ictQATAR, Q-CERT is
charged with ensuring the safe development of Qatar’s
telecommunications infrastructure through combating
cyber crime and working to increase trust in networks.
By successfully executing on these goals, Q-CERT
helps to increase Internet usage among all members
of society and businesses.
To ensure the integrity of Qatar’s ICT infrastructure,
Q-CERT took numerous actions to protect networks
and individuals from denial of service attacks
and other disruptions caused by botnets and malware.
This team also took steps to protect users’ privacy
online from risks including phishing, identity theft,
and spyware.
Q-CERT collaborated closely with the Cyber Safety
Program on the launch of SafeSpace.qa. This team
also worked to minimize the spread of the Stuxnet
computer virus within Qatar. This virus, which consists
of a computer worm that attacks and reprograms
industrial SCADA systems, affected millions
of computers worldwide, disrupting commercial
operations and personal use. In Qatar, however, less
than 1 percent of computers were affected.
 Annual Report 2010 

Strategic plan 2015:

the Next Five Years

ictQATAR will remain strongly committed to Q ATAR NATIONAL BROADBAND Ne t work

encouraging and enabling the continued growth and
evolution of ICT in the State of Qatar by providing a
strong regulatory framework. This support generally
provides a basis for attracting private investment
and expertise in helping to improve the quality and
extent of the ICT sector in Qatar.
ictQATAR will seek to regulate barriers to market
entry for companies looking to invest and will remain
platform-neutral in its policies and implementation
of the law, including those regarding intellectual
property rights.
ictQATAR will also complete its comprehensive review
of the telecommunications sector to determine the state
of competition in Qatar. The review, which will conclude
in 2011, will determine whether additional operators
would benefit consumers and the market, and what
further regulatory measures, or structural changes, if
any, would advance market competition.
Over the next five years, ictQATAR has committed
to facilitating the building of a next-generation
high-speed broadband network with public and private
investment. This new generation of networks will be
combined with the latest optical communications
technologies, which will increase the ICT
infrastructure, creating more bandwidth to handle
larger volumes of data.
To meet this goal, ictQATAR is facilitating the creation
of a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network, which will
provide fiber connections to households and / 17
businesses. It is estimated that within five years
this network will replace many of the existing copper
connections with high-speed fiber connections.
Cultivating Workforce
and Market Growth in ICT
 Annual Report 2010 

ictQATAR has undertaken many initiatives to spur increased ICT adoption

among businesses and make it easier for all companies to comply with
government regulations and procurement processes through streamlined
online services.

Qatar’s economy has reaped the rewards of these efforts, with broadband
connectivity among businesses increasing by 20 percentage points since
2008. And the country is ranked in the top third of countries for “ease of
doing business,” based on the World Bank’s index.

Another indication of the burgeoning ICT adoption levels throughout

Qatar’s economy is the rapid increase in spending on related products and / 19
services. According to statistics from International Data Corporation
(IDC), hardware spending on PCs, servers, and storage in Qatar increased
by 23 percent since 2009, and spending on software grew by $23 million
during the same time period.

Over the past year, ictQATAR has augmented its already robust efforts
to increase the level of entrepreneurship across all industries and
help companies both large and small adapt to a constantly evolving
ICT landscape.
ictQATAR 
IT spending in ke y vertical marke ts
Source: IDC Verticals Research 2009
Tourism & Sports 3%
Personal & Other Services <1%
Home 10%
Education 3%
Healthcare 1%
Government 15%
Professional Services 1%
Finance 15%
Fostering an Entrepreneurial
Environment
One of ictQATAR’s principal goals is to foster the
development of new domestic companies by widely
expanding incubation resources available to fledgling
start-ups.
To help grow a sustainable digital content industry
in Qatar, ictQATAR’s Digital Content Incubation
Center is providing entrepreneurs in this industry
with expert guidance, innovative technology solutions,
20 /   telecommunications services, office space, and
accounting and legal services.
In 2010, FahrasQatar became the first spin-off
company supported by the Digital Content Incubation
Center. The center will provide support to four young
Qataris who won ownership rights to the company
through the FahrasQatar Business Case Competition,
which attracted more than 30 entries.
ictQATAR developed the online business directory
FahrasQatar in 2008 to provide a central forum for
connecting Qatar’s businesses to customers, potential
partners, investors, and relevant professional service
vendors. This service provides information on points
of contact and company product offerings, along with
special promotional offers.
Oil/Gas 16%
Agriculture, Construction & Mining 2%
Discrete Manufacturing 2%
Process Manufacturing 3%
Transport 2%
Communications 15%
Utilities 4%
Retail/Wholesale 9%
Business Connect Forums
More than 1,000 members of Qatar’s business
community came together for ictQATAR’s Business
Connect Forums in 2010, which included speakers
from Google, Qtel, and Microsoft.
The most recent forum, held in December 2010,
featured a series of successful IT entrepreneurs and
experts who offered their perspectives on the
implications and benefits of Qatar’s new e-commerce
law, enacted in April, for local and international
companies.
The law, which clarifies important business issues
such as e-signatures, e-transactions, and online
authorizations, creates tremendous opportunities for
entrepreneurs to develop innovative online business
models and offerings. Through case studies presented
from successful e-commerce executives and panels
featuring regulatory experts, a variety of examples
and lessons were presented.
This forum also included a seminar on cloud computing
and sessions on the business offerings featured on
Qatar’s National e-Learning Portal.
Digitally open forum:
Promoting Innovation and Access

In October 2010, Qatar became the first GCC country

to host a conference with Creative Commons, titled
“Digitally Open: Innovation and Open Access Forum.”
The event is one of a series of efforts ictQATAR
has undertaken to foster a digitally open society and
thriving knowledge economy in Qatar.

Creative Commons is a non-profit organization that

provides expertise and resources to encourage digital
creativity, along with the sharing of ideas and
innovation online. The group also issues licenses
directly to those who want to share and protect their
digital content online. These licenses can be applied
to almost every realm of society, including music,
science, technology, art, government, and medicine

At the conference, ictQATAR brought together

renowned international panelists from Google,
Mozilla, Red Hat, and the Qatar Museum Authority
(among others) to lead seminars on openness in the
digital realms of entertainment, government, and
business. Furthermore, other leaders gave talks
and shared innovative approaches to creating wider
access to culturally relevant content. More than
600 people attended the conference, which was also
live-streamed to an even broader audience.

Building on the success of the event, ictQATAR is

leading efforts to establish an official Creative
Commons affiliate in Qatar, working with organizations
and individuals to promote greater sharing of creative
works online using flexible content rights licenses.

These licenses will promote the creation of original

digital content in the Arab world while protecting the
rights of the content creators.
ictQATAR 

An earlier forum in March centered on how information Virtual Office Environment

and communication technology can help businesses
grow and thrive in today’s global marketplace.
Blueprint
At the end of 2010, ictQATAR and the Ministry of
The seminar featured local and regional experts in
Labor completed a study analyzing the feasibility of
technology solutions for businesses, as well as case
leveraging technology to work from home. Through
studies from companies that have successfully
reviewing the effectiveness of working remotely in
leveraged ICT to realize cost savings and gain a
five sectors: oil and gas, government, banking, health,
competitive advantage.
and telecommunications, researchers gauged the
Speakers included top officials from ictQATAR, viability of using virtual office environments (VOEs)
MEEZA, Ali Bin Ali Technology Solutions, Doha Sooq, for jobs at various levels.
22 /   and NTG Clarity Networks. These experts offered
Their research found that there are considerable
advice on how to effectively integrate affordable
potential benefits for companies that incorporate VOEs
technologies into existing business operations and
in Qatar, including increased productivity, enhanced
how implementing other types of technology can
customer support, reduced operating costs, and wider
help transform the customer experience. ictQATAR
engagement of a larger proportion of the workforce.
is committed to helping businesses in Qatar realize
these benefits. The study also included findings indicating that both
males and females are interested in VOEs and the
improved work-life balance they could offer, and that
companies based in Qatar recognize the benefit of
incorporating VOEs into their business plans.

The findings, which have been shared with and

presented to many organizations, including Qatar
National Bank (QNB) and RasGas, will provide a
blueprint for all sectors, and include recommendations
on appropriate infrastructure and necessary
technology enhancements. In addition to the possible
advantages of VOEs to companies and individuals, they
can benefit all sectors of society by creating more
equitable access to careers and advancement.

Strategic plan 2015:
the Next Five Years
Entrepreneurial Socie t y
By 2015, ictQATAR hopes to incubate 30 new
companies. To reach this goal, ictQATAR will establish
funding mechanisms, including research and
development grants, business networks, and ICT
venture capital funds, to financially support creativity
and innovation in the academic and business
environments.
By further institutionalizing the professional ICT
community, ictQATAR will also enable networking and
collaboration within the ICT environment and support
its growth.
Almost all large corporations, and nearly half of
SMEs use government websites for information and
government e-services. While this is a significant
percentage, ictQATAR will seek to increase utilization
significantly over the next five years.
Annual Report 2010 
Digital Content
Digital content includes everything from news to
emails and from e-commerce to search engines. It is
the basis for everything on the Internet. The creation
of digital content is an essential foundation for an
innovative ICT sector.
Over the next five years, ictQATAR will create
economic benefits by increasing content from the
Arab world—specifically Arabic language content.
Revenues from the sale of digital content are expected
to more than double over the next five years in the
MENA region. / 23
Qatar has a number of intrinsic advantages that will
aid it in meeting this goal, including its internationally
renowned media network and diverse media sector,
including seven newspapers.
A number of initiatives will support this overarching
goal:
• A national digitization plan to digitize Qatar’s
heritage and culture, academic research,
government laws and decrees, and health research.
• The creation of local and Arabic digital content
through local media, locally hosted websites, and
the digitization of cultural artifacts and documents
will also drive the development of the ICT industry.
• Data centers being built by the government and Qtel
will expand local hosting capabilities. These will
increase competition by enabling new ISPs to enter
the market in addition to Qtel and will lead to an
increase in the provision of local digital content.
Serving the Public
 Annual Report 2010 

The development of the existing integrated e-Government program—

known as i-Gov—distinguishes the Qatari government as an international
leader in the promotion of ICT. i-Gov improves the efficiency and quality
of government by providing electronic services and information to those
who live and work in Qatar.

By creating a robust and transparent online system for government

operations and the public, ictQATAR has set a swift pace for ICT adoption
across all sectors of society. Services and resources offered through
i-Gov have improved access to information and made it more convenient
for individuals and businesses to interact with government agencies.
/ 25
More than 300 information services and 60 transaction services are
currently available online through Hukoomi, Qatar’s online government
portal. Businesses of all sizes can use the automated government
e-tendering system, and citizens, residents, and visitors conducted
1.4 million fast, easy transactions using Hukoomi.

To increase government connectivity and transparency, ictQATAR

is in the process of rolling out a National Government Network—a single
ICT backbone that will connect all government entities to each other
through a single network connection.

i-Gov is in various stages of designing and implementing new services,

including recruitment services and business set-up services, with 27
i-Gov initiatives in progress, 10 of which were launched in 2010.
ictQATAR 
2 0 10 / 1.4 million tr ansactions using
Hukoomi, Q atar’s online government
portal ( ictQATAR)
Hukoomi v2
In 2010, ictQATAR launched an improved version of
Hukoomi with enhanced services that are faster and
more accessible for citizens, businesses, and visitors.
Prior to the launch, ictQATAR conducted an extensive
usability survey to identify areas for improvement.
Several significant upgrades were made based on
the study’s findings, including an updated design,
overhaul of old content, and the addition of new points
of access to increase the flexibility of delivery of
26 /   government services.
Some of the significant improvements made to
Hukoomi include:
• More user-friendly navigation, including search
engines and the ability to bookmark services
• Mobile applications, including Hukoomi for
Blackberry
• Hukoomi Facebook presence for providing feedback
and accessing information
• Streamlined business set-up services
• More efficient delivery of ID services
• Information for visitors on booking hotels, securing
tickets to entertainment events, finding restaurants,
cinema and theater bookings, and mobile
location–­based services like suggesting nearby
restaurants
• Pending launch of an employment services site,
including online job postings to fill government job
vacancies
The goverment’s call center, which now provides
24-hour assistance to customers with requests,
queries, and complaints related to the government
portal, was chosen as the “Best New Call Center in the
Middle East for 2010” at the INSIGHTS Middle East
Call Center Awards in Dubai.
Improvements were also made to Hukoomi to make it
easier for various government agencies to
independently modify the content of their online
portals. Prior to this enhancement, they had to send
the content to ictQATAR to be published online.
To enhance transparency, ictQATAR implemented
a content management and update policy this year.
The aim of this policy is to advance the country’s
e-government strategy.
The new standards apply to all 48 public entities with
digitized content and endorse four specific policy areas
of government-wide collaboration:
• Integration and linkage policy for common
e-government systems and services
• Hukoomi content management policy mandating
that government entities are responsible for
providing required information and maintaining
up-to-date content
• Documentation and registration policy in
e-government services
• ICT architecture and standards policy creating
a comprehensive blueprint for the government
IT framework, infrastructure, and application
standards
 Annual Report 2010 

top Five Most Utilized

e-Government Services
Source: Qatar’s ICT Landscape 2011, and percentages reflect usage rates among a representative
survey group of household and resident respondents.

Settling
Settling
Traffic
Traffic
Violations
Violations 68%
68%

Paying
Paying
Utility
Utility
Bills
Bills 49%
49%

Applying
Applying
forfor
or or
Renewing
Renewing
Visas
Visas 27%
27%

Applying
Applying
forfor
or or
Renewing
Renewing
Health
Health
Cards
Cards 25%
25%

Applying
Applying
forfor
NewNew
Resident
Resident
Permits/Renewing/Reactivating
Permits/Renewing/Reactivating 17%
17%

e-Payment Platform e-Health

This resource established a common payment platform
for all government entities, eliminating the need for
outdated manual modes of cash payment. By allowing
individuals and businesses to use debit and credit
cards to pay bills and other fees related to government
services and regulations, the e-Payment Platform
is a cheaper and more efficient method for collecting
government revenue.
Instead of having to stand in long lines, it has become
second nature to pay water and utility bills online, pay
parking and traffic violation tickets, and check online to
see the status of payments and violations.
More services came online to the platform in 2010,
and the following five were the most frequently used
e-Government services by individuals in Qatar:
1/ Settling Traffic Violations
2/ Paying Utility Bills
ictQATAR will continue to support the Supreme
Council of Health’s efforts to further digitize
healthcare systems and records. Improved electronic
data storage and sharing will benefit the public by
enhancing healthcare through better prevention,
detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
Among e-Government services, applying for and
renewing health cards is one of the most popular,
ranking fourth in the top 10 of online services used by
Qataris. Furthermore, 68 percent of private hospitals / 27
have electronic storage of patient data, and almost
half of government hospitals (48 percent) offer the
same.
The Supreme Council of Health and the Hamad
Medical Corporation have begun efforts to build a
unified health records system, and 500 employees,
including doctors, nurses, and therapists, have already
been trained in how to use the system.

3/ Applying for/Renewing Visas

4/ Applying for/Renewing Health Cards

5/ Applying for/Renewing/Reactivating New

Residence Permits
MADA:
Creating a More Accessible Society
On the seventh floor of ictQATAR’s headquarters,
automatic doors open more widely to accommodate
visitors in wheelchairs who come to Mada, the
state-of-the-art Center for Assistive Technology. But
the center doesn’t just serve those in wheelchairs.
It offers a range of tools, software, and services to
help people with any combination of physical and
learning differences to more fully interact with society.
Keyboards with enlarged colored letters for the
visually impaired and software that provides symbols
with words to help dyslexic learners read are just a
few of the tools available to meet Mada’s goal of
fostering greater equality and empowerment for
people with disabilities.
A staff of 10, some of whom know the challenges of
being disabled from firsthand experience, are available
to help anyone who enters Mada find appropriate
solutions to their needs. The center also offers a loan
bank of cutting-edge technology items for anyone to
try out at home or at work before investing in such
equipment.
Since opening in June 2010, Mada has already helped
200 people by assessing their needs and making
recommendations. They have also trained more
than 100 other individuals in identifying and using
appropriate solutions for people with various
disabilities.
“Using our imagination in applying these resources is
very important,” according to David Banes, deputy
director of Mada. “It’s about being creative in mixing and
matching solutions based on each individual’s needs.”
Indeed, one of Mada’s most valuable resources is
the expertise of the people who work there. Banes
and others play a vital role as international advocates
for people with disabilities through staying on top
of the newest developments in assistive technology,
and serving as advocates for the development of
Arabic language adaptations of these solutions.
Many common adaptations, such as voice recognition
software, are not available in Arabic.
Over the next year, Banes expects Mada’s staff to
double. As the center expands, Mada will continue to
add more resources to serve a wider swath of the
population. After all, almost everyone will deal with
the challenge of having a disability at some point
in their lives.
That’s why, Banes says, it’s important for Mada’s staff
to expand access to its resources and develop ongoing
relationships with the people they serve. “They may
come in wanting to learn something as basic as how to
email, but then they come back asking how they can
play games or do other more complex things,”
according to Banes. “Once you open the door, they kick
it down permanently.”
ictQATAR 
2 0 10 / Almost 2000 INDIVIDUALS completed
free online e-le arning courses offered
through ictQ ATAR’s National E-Le arning
Portal. ( ictQATAR)
e-Learning
The presence of a strong and innovative ICT sector
can attract foreign investment and lead to a
self-perpetuating cycle of job growth. To enhance
digital literacy and skills, ictQATAR’s National
e-Learning Portal offers more than 3,000 free online
courses to government employees, ICT professionals,
and the unemployed in a variety of fields including
business, information technology, human resources,
and marketing.
30 /   With access to these resources, all participants in
Qatar’s economy benefit. These courses help
individuals gain additional qualifications and become
marketable for high-demand jobs. They also offer
training for recent grads, aiding them in making the
transition from school to work. Businesses also
benefit—SMEs build in-house capabilities that they
might not otherwise have the resources to develop.
Furthermore, these enterprises also attract companies
to Qatar through cultivating a highly-skilled workforce.
In the past year, ictQATAR’s e-learning efforts
increased significantly:
• Almost 2,000 people completed online courses
• 30 percent of state employees completed IT training
• 20 percent of nurses completed IT training
• 15 percent of non-IT business employees have
undergone IT training
e-Education
Qatar continues to serve as a regional leader in
integrating ICT into its K–12 educational system.
As of 2010, it had achieved:
• 60 percent of schools have broadband access
• 100 percent of schools have PCs
• Majority of teachers have had ICT training
ictQATAR will also establish a working group to
implement outreach, awareness, and training
initiatives, and a working group to develop a cyber
safety learning program.
K-Net
Knowledge Net (K-Net), ictQATAR’s e-learning
platform, is the cornerstone of ICT adoption within
Qatar’s education system. Since K-Net launched five
years ago as a pilot project in eight schools, it has
expanded to 37 schools and 40,000 users nationwide.
Through K-Net, technology is integrated into the
learning process instead of being treated as a
separate goal. The system has allowed teachers to
transition to virtually paperless classes. Schools
have reported increased student engagement and
completion of homework assignments.0
The learning management experience for teachers
is enhanced by a feature that allows them to sync their
lesson plans to the school’s rubric and conveniently
track which learning goals their lessons are meeting.
Students are also easier to manage, thanks to features
that K-Net provides to keep faster learners occupied
while slower ones are still completing in-class
Youth study:
Determining Current and Future Trends

More so than ever before, technology has transformed

the way younger generations communicate and access
information. In recognition of the tremendous influence
ICT has on children and young adults, ictQATAR has
commissioned a comprehensive study to understand
how Qatari youth are affected by and use ICT in their
daily lives.

A committee of academics, researchers, policymakers,

youth advocates, and young people are contributing
to a groundbreaking analysis using data from 1,200
young Qataris ages 11 to 29. Through exploring how
this group accesses online content and communicates
with each other, the findings will provide insight into
how ICT shapes their identity in relation to their peers
and the world.

From these findings, ictQATAR will be able to make

policy recommendations on how to best harness the
power of ICT to help young people realize their full
potential, and develop a framework to assess the
impact of ICT on youth, which can then be replicated
in other Arab countries. Furthermore, the baseline
information this study provides can be used in the
future to provide a comparative assessment of the
socioeconomic impact of ICT on this age group.
 ictQATAR 

student confidence with it tasks

Source: Qatar’s ICT Landscape 2011

64%
Text Processing 89%
73%
Using Email 88%
61%
Creating Presentations 86%
54%
Downloading Software 64%
48%
Using Spreadsheet Software 71%
55%
Online Chat 67%
44%
Installing Hardware/Software 61%
32%
Creating Web pages 35%
27%
Troubleshooting 50% School Students
20%
Software Programming 28% University Students

assignments. e-Maturity Assessment

K-Net continues to expand its capabilities for users.
In the past year, K-Net conducted seminars for
teachers and administrators on crisis management so
they can continue their teaching virtually, with minimal
interruptions, in the event of a national emergency that
prevents students from attending school in person.
The quality of this portal earned ictQATAR and the
Supreme Education Council an ACN Arab Technology
Award for creating the “Education Implementation
of the Year.”
32 /  
Collaborating on e-Education
ictQATAR and the College of the North Atlantic-Qatar
held their third annual “Exploring ICT in Education
Conference,” in March, to provide a regional forum
for exchanging information and ideas on the most
effective ways to utilize technology as a catalyst for
change and innovation in schools.
More than 450 teachers and administrators from
across Qatar participated in workshops and attended
seminars, led by international experts in e-education.
The day prior to the conference, both students and
teachers participated in “Digital Star” competitions to
showcase innovative ways that technology had been
incorporated into their lesson plans and classroom
projects.
As the pace of technological change accelerates,
educators across the world are faced with the
classroom challenge of how to best integrate
technology into their lessons in a way that maximizes
the student’s engagement and retention of the
material. Reaching this objective is more crucial than
ever before, as students must become adept at
utilizing and applying rapidly changing technology
to be prepared for careers in an information-based
economy.
To ensure that Qatar’s schools are remaining ahead
of the curve, 26 public and private schools have
completed a pilot with the eMARQ system. This
system allows them to assess their “e-maturity”
by answering a number of questions about the nature
and extent of ICT adoption in their schools.
School leaders are asked to rank various measures
of integration and curriculum content on a scale of
1 to 5. Based on the results, the assessment suggests
actions a school can take to improve its scores. It even
provides a tool to calculate budget estimates related
to future technological needs.
Digital qatar:
continuing a dialogue with
tech enthusiasts

As part of its goal to stay ahead of the curve on social

media, ictQATAR launched Digital Qatar, a blog for
technology enthusiasts. The blog is a hub of news and
discussion of the latest ideas and technological
advancements, and explores the boundless potential
of information and communication technology.
ictQATAR launched this blog in 2009 with the purpose
of providing a platform for genuine thought and
conversation in Qatar around everything ICT.

Digital Qatar is available in both Arabic and English,

and represents one of the first blogs on technology
available in Arabic. The wide range of posts includes
features on the impact of social media forums
like Facebook and FourSquare, and insight into the
impact technology has on current events, including
perspectives on the role ICT developments played in
Qatar’s winning its 2022 FIFA World Cup bid.

This blog also provides another forum for the public

to learn about the benefits of ICT for their daily lives,
both personal and professional, through informative
content on issues including password strength,
cyber-bullying, and Creative Commons licenses. For
ictQATAR, the blog is one of a host of social media
outlets it leverages for engaging with the public. In
fact, ictQATAR is active in 14 social media outlets—in
both English and Arabic —and has built a network of
more than 3,000 friends and followers on the social
networking sites Facebook and Twitter. These forums
provide Facebook friends and Twitter followers with
real-time alerts on the latest ictQATAR news, events,
and technology trends.

Due to the widespread popularity of ictQATAR’s

social-networking sites, their followers have become
part of the greater ICT community in Qatar, often
initiating their own technology-related conversations,
commenting on policies, and “re-tweeting” ictQATAR
tweets to their network of followers. Recently,
Twitaholic named ictQATAR one of Qatar’s top 10 most
popular Twitter accounts.
ictQATAR 

Convening Thought Leaders Dr. David Reeves, the former president and CEO of Sony
Computer Entertainment Europe, told the crowd that
From Around the World
“Markets consist of human beings, not demographic
ictQATAR’s Connected Speaker Series brings
sectors. The Internet is enabling conversations among
numerous global and regional thought leaders to Qatar
human beings that were simply not possible in the era
to share their insights on current trends and future
of ‘mass media.’”
developments in ICT, and how these will affect society
and the economy. Speakers also offered their thoughts on a range of
issues, including industry initiatives, the development
Gerd Leonhard, described by the Wall Street Journal
of social and cultural aims, the role of formal learning
as “one of the leading media futurists in the world,”
in informing digital literacy, and the protection of
shared his perspective on some of the most
34 /   minors and others from inappropriate material.
provocative issues the media industry is currently
facing, including the future of content, potential In April, ictQATAR partnered with the Center for
opportunities for revenue generation from online International and Regional Studies at the Georgetown
content, and the biggest potential markets that exist. School of Foreign Service in Qatar to host a talk on
“The Future of the Internet.” This event featured
“Without a doubt, data is the new oil,” according
Michael Nelson, an internationally known expert on
to Leonhard. “Over 4 billion connected users will
next-phase computing, and a visiting professor of
generate zetabytes of data, every single day, by
Internet studies in Georgetown’s Communication,
commenting, rating, tagging, forwarding, uploading,
Culture, and Technology Program.
and sharing content.”
As the former director of Internet technology and
In 2010, additional speakers attracted hundreds of
strategy at IBM, and a trustee of the International
guests from various industries, as the issues discussed
Institute of Communication, Mr. Nelson offered
during these talks have far-reaching implications for ICT.
unparalleled insight on the impact the Internet, and its
As part of this series, the International Institute of continuing evolution, will have for content and media
Communications (IIC), in association with ictQATAR, industries, development of government policies, and
organized and hosted a Digital Communications Literacy academia.
Forum in February. The forum explored issues related to
According to Nelson, “we’re less than 15 percent
the role digital literacy can play in the further evolution
through this transformation that’s enabled by the
of the new communications environment in the Middle
Internet,” and while only 15 to 20 percent of people in
East, and included ideas for ways to best reach this goal
the world use the Internet on a regular basis, that
while advancing economic and social objectives.
number is projected to grow by a factor of up to 50.”
During the day-long gathering, a number of
international experts shared their insights on the
importance of digital media literacy and its key
contributions to changing how e-marketers devise
their online strategies.

Strategic plan 2015:
the Next Five Years
i-Gov
Over the next five years, i-Gov will be continuously
improved with a customer-centric focus on the users of
government services. It will aim to further modernize
the e-services, including:
• Complete a single ICT backbone by which each
government entity will connect to all other
government entities through a single network
connection
• Establish a centralized government data center to
house critical computer systems and associated
components for all government entities
• Institute a service-oriented next-generation
government architecture that provides a next-
generation ICT framework for interoperability and the
seamless exchange of information and data between
all government entities and the users of their services
ICT AND SOCIETY
To enhance the social and economic development of
Qatar, and ensure that all members of society can
benefit from technological progress, ictQATAR will
undertake numerous initiatives through its ICT and
Society programs.
Skill development programs to enhance digital literacy
across the entire population and further develop ICT
skills within its workforce will be one of the linchpins
of ictQATAR’s work.
To enhance digital literacy and skills and increase
usage levels, ictQATAR will develop an accessibility
policy and guidelines to ensure that all e-services are
accessible to all constituents, particularly individuals
with special needs.
As Qatar continues to advance in the digital age,
ictQATAR will also closely follow the impact of the
Internet and its governance on the progress of society
Annual Report 2010 
through its newly established program, Internet and
Society. This program will serve as a research hub for
studying Internet technology, policy, and economics.
Within those broad areas, the overarching objective of
the research will be to determine the most effective
ways for individuals and businesses to benefit from ICT
innovations. The Internet and Society program will
also collaborate with similar centers around the world,
including ones at Harvard, Stanford, and Oxford.
E-He alth
/ 35
Precise and accurate information is essential to
high-quality medical care and related health services.
By providing access to health records and advanced
diagnostic systems, the Supreme Council of Health
will significantly improve the quality and delivery of
healthcare for all members of society.
One key project to meet this goal is the rollout of an
electronic health record system that is available to
health providers and all citizens through Smart Cards,
which are linked to Qatari IDs.
E-education
To increase adoption and access, ictQATAR has worked
with the Supreme Education Council to build on its efforts
to empower educators with the required skills, knowledge,
and resources to facilitate 21st-century learning.
At the K–12 level, ICT education will be expanded to
enhance and integrate ICT into the curriculum of
classrooms in all public and private schools, improving
students’ 21st-century skills and piquing their interest
in pursuing ICT careers.
At the university level, initiatives to be implemented
will improve the skills of students and support the
marketability of ICT graduates by developing intensive
ICT educational programs, on-the-job training, internship
programs, and international exchange programs.
safe space:
Helping Children Stay Safe Online
With the recent launch of Safe Space, a website for
teachers, parents, and families, ictQATAR has created
a vital information resource dedicated to protecting
youth from online risks, including cyber-bullying,
inappropriate content, and solicitations.
This is significant because Qatari parents cite safety
as their top concern related to their children using
the Internet. At the same time, the vast amount of
information and interaction that the Internet provides
enriches the engagement in learning and the online
literacy of young people.
By providing clear and comprehensive guidance
and tips, Safe Space helps families strike a balance
between helping their children develop essential
digital skills that can boost their academic
success—and intellectual curiosity—and minimize
their exposure to online risks.
ictQATAR launched Safe Space with a public
awareness campaign with the motto “Keep Them Safe,
Keep Them Curious,” featured in advertisements at
movie theaters and on radio, television, and billboards,
to widely promote the benefits and resources Safe
Space offers to all members of society.
The website provides adults and children with tips
on how to handle a range of scenarios and issues
children might confront online, whether they are using
chat rooms, downloading emails with attachments,
or surfing the web.
Both parents and teachers can take cyber safety
self-assessment quizzes, and find information about
how to talk to children about cyber safety. To further
supplement their knowledge, ictQATAR has provided
workshops to train teachers about these issues.
The public campaign is meeting strong public
demand, as more schools have requested workshops
to learn more about these issues, and parents have
asked schools to provide them with more information
on how to keep their children safe.
To ensure that everyone can access this information,
ictQATAR is creating a hotline for families and
educators to call to report online threats on children
and receive guidance on how to handle individual
situations.
ictQATAR 

38 /   ictqatar REGULATORY AUTHORITY

Financial SUMMARY
For the period from April 1st, 2009, to March 31st, 2010
 Annual Report 2010 

REGULATORY AUTHORITY REVENUES QAR

Final part of license opportunity fee for second mobile license 3,086,537,011

Technical license and telecommunications authorization fees 19,842,328

1% License fee for fixed and mobile telecommunications service providers (July 2009 - December 2009) 22,496,036

12.5% Industry fee for fixed and mobile telecommunications service providers (July 2009 - December 2009) 82,920,795

Total Regulatory Authority Revenues 3,211,796,170

REGULATORY AUTHORITY Expenses QAR

OPERATING EXPENSES

Professional Services 456,983

Administration Expenses 2,546,122

/ 39
Payroll Expenses 14,468,127

Total Operating Expenses 17,471,232

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

Regulatory Authority Projects 9,007,921

Other Capital Expenditures 62,236

Total Capital Expenditures 9,070,157

Total Regulatory Authority Expenses & Expenditures 26,541,389

Ye arly Comparison

2009–2010* 2008–2009** 2007–2008**

Payroll and Allowances 14,468,127 15,151,749 8,775,507‫ححححح‬

Operating Expenditure 12,011,026 17,546,197 26,722,499‫ححححح‬

Capital Expenditure 62,236 36,700 3,780‫ححححح‬

Total Expenditures 26,541,389 32,734,646 35,501,786‫ححححح‬

* Fiscal Year 2009–2010 was audited and verified by Deloitte & Touche.
** Fiscal Years 2005–2009 were audited and verified by the State Audit Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers.