Qatar’s telecommunications sector has recorded revenue worth QR9.7bn in 2019, while investments in the retail telecom sector stood at QR1.7bn for the same period, according to the Telecommunications Market Report published by the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA).
In a statement, the CRA said the report describes the main indicators of the telecommunications market in Qatar from 2015 to 2019 with the aim of showing trends and evolutions, as well as to provide guidance to stakeholders who are interested in further elaborations and analyses.
In 2019, the CRA recorded 0.5mn fixed voice and broadband subscriptions, and 0.3mn fixed broadband subscriptions. During the same period, the CRA said fixed broadband subscriptions with fibre connections stood at 92%, while fixed broadband subscriptions with advertised speeds greater than 30Mbps reached 86%.
The report also stated that in 2019 mobile telephone subscriptions reached 3.9mn and mobile broadband subscriptions stood at 3.5mn. In the same year, Qatar’s mobile telephone penetration was at 143%, and 129% for mobile broadband penetration.
The data in the report were collected and elaborated by CRA based on service providers’ regulatory reports that they provide every quarter. The report includes key indicators related to market statistics like voice and data traffic for mobile services, in addition to trends in advertised fixed broadband speed. Besides, the report includes financial information like the main service providers’ revenues and investments/ capital expenditures (CAPEX) also as percentage of their revenues in the telecom sector.
“In line with its mandate, the CRA ensures to develop an open telecom sector and transparent regulatory environment. We will keep publishing the updated report quarterly in collaboration with the telecom service providers, as a reliable, transparent and consistent source of information, so consumers, investors and service providers would constantly have access to updated information related to the telecom market,” said CRA president Mohamed Ali al-Mannai.
“The report indicates that the market is maturing. I would like to thank the telecom service providers for their efforts in adopting new technologies and modernising their network, improving and diversifying the services that they provide to their customers, and contributing to the development of the economy in Qatar,” he added.
The CRA was established by virtue of Amiri Decree (42) of 2014 and it regulates the telecommunications, information technology and postal sectors, as well as access to digital media.
It uses its regulatory powers mandated by the Amiri Decree to protect consumer rights, ensure competition and manage the resolution of disputes. In all its activities, the CRA seeks to ensure the provision of advanced, innovative and reliable ICT and postal services across the State of Qatar.