Qtel continues to “Push the Envelope”

At the Summit, Dr. NasserMarafih on his part, launched the “GSMA mWomen Design Challenge: Redefining the User Experience.” The Design Challenge calls for programmers and product designers to develop services that can increase mobile access and literacy for women in the developing world. In these emerging markets, nearly 300 million women do not have access to mobile phones or do not know how to use them to their full potential, according to GSMA research. Winners of the mWomen Design Challenge will be announced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in 2013. In addition to taking part in the Summit, Qtel Group held discussions with Cherie Blair and her Foundation for Women about expanding initiatives that empower women entrepreneurs. Already Qtel Group has seen strong response on several mWomen initiatives, such as Iraqi operator Asiacell launching the Almas (Diamond) line with features catered to women. Indonesian operator Indosat has trained 5,000 low-income micro-entrepreneurs in selling mobile products and services through the “RumaPulsa” social enterprise, and has launched the “Info Wanita” (Information for Women) service, which delivers to Indonesian women important information on small business management, financial management, life skills, health and childcare. Dr. Nasser Marafih was also recently appointed Chairman of the GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation, a non-profit organisation that supports life-enhancing services to millions of underserved people in emerging markets. Through these partnerships, Qtel Group is committed to improving people’s lives through scalable and profitable mobile products and services. By expanding the potential of Mobile Broadband, Qtel Group hopes to continue to enrich the lives of people around the world. It is worth to mention that Qtel Group is a leading international communications company, with a significant presence in the MENA region and Southeast Asia, and having a consolidated customer base of 83.7 million as of June 2012. Its businesses operate under various names, including Qtel, Indosat, Asiacell, Wataniya, Nawras, Nedjma and Tunisiana. The Qtel Group’s principal activities are mobile telephone services, broadband solutions, digital futures and fibre technologies, serving both consumer and business markets. Headquartered in Doha, Qatar, Qtel Group is ambitiously growing its global business on the basis of its insights into the needs of customers in emerging markets. Qtel Group’s ultimate parent company is Qatar Telecom (Qtel) Q.S.C., whose shares are listed on the Qatar Exchange and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.