Qtel has selected Cisco to provide Linksys wireless routers for the new national Qtel Fibre rollout, providing home and small business consumers with the next generation in broadband technology across Qatar.

The telecommunication company selected Cisco after an in-depth review and extensive testing procedure that covered many international suppliers. The Cisco Linksys E4200 wireless router met and exceeded Qtel’s stringent requirements, demonstrating impressive capabilities in delivering wireless transfer speeds of up to 100Mbps via Wi-Fi.

The router supports Dual Band wireless which provides wireless connectivity on both the 5 Ghz and 2.4 Ghz band simultaneously. In addition, all Linksys products are shipped with Cisco Connect software making the installation and management of the home network easier, a statement from the company said.

With homes and businesses in Qatar being connected to the Qtel Fibre network, over the coming months, reliable, high-speed router technology is essential for ensuring an incredible customer experience.

Waleed Al Sayed, chief operating officer, Qtel Qatar, said: “The launch of Qtel Fibre is an important milestone for Qtel and for our customers in Qatar, and we are working with the leading providers in every aspect of this initiative. We welcome Cisco’s participation in this project, which will deliver our fastest-ever internet speeds for homes and businesses across Qatar.”

Amanulla Khan, regional sales manager IMEA for Cisco’s home networking business, said: “We are pleased and proud to be part of Qtel’s project to deliver wireless connectivity in homes and small businesses via Qtel Fibre across Qatar. The Linksys E4200 is our flagship model and is ideal for connecting entertainment devices and streaming HD video and music. Consumers connect more and more devices to their home network and use more advanced web service – increasing the need for bandwidth in the home and on their broadband subscription.”

Qtel has an ambitious rolling schedule of works that will have 140,000 homes and residences in Qatar connected to Fibre by 2013, as well as offering diverse solutions for small businesses, the statement said. 

With an investment of QR600 million ($164 million), the Qtel Fibre project will make an important contribution to the National Strategy for building a knowledge-based economy. – TradeArabia News Service