Qatar Railways company signs MOUs at QITCOM 2017

Qatar Rail signed three MoUs with Ooredoo, Qatar National Broadband Network (QNBN), and Vodafone Qatar during QITCOM 2017, the fourth edition of Qatar’s information and communication technology exhibition and conference. The signing ceremonies were held at QITCOM’s Smart Zone in the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) on the 7th March 2017.

Attending the signing ceremonies were His Excellency Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport and Communications, Qatar Rail’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Abdulla Abdulaziz T. Al Subaie, Ooredoo Qatar Chief Executive Officer Waleed Al Sayed, Dr. Eng. Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, QNBN Chief Executive Officer,and Vodafone Qatar CEO Ian Gray along with senior management from each company.

Eng. Abdulla Abdulaziz T. Al Subaie commented on the occasion, “We are pleased to finalize these MoUs with Ooredoo, QNBN and Vodafone and look forward to building on the strong and fruitful partnerships that will benefit this landmark project that is set to have a transformational effect on the transportation sector.We understand that in today’s fast paced world, people want to stay connected and we are working with our partners, utilizing their knowledge and expertise to ensure the very best telecommunication services possible.”

He went on to say: “Qatar Rail was keen on establishing strategic partnerships with each of these leading telecommunications providers in Qatar to ensure that future users of the Doha Metro can stay connected while using the railway network.” The MoU with Ooredoo will ensure the availability of high-quality telecommunications services to the general public using the Doha Metro Red Line from the commencement of railway services.

Mr. Waleed Al Sayed, Chief Executive Officer, Ooredoo Qatar, commented: “This project will demonstrate the power and reach of the award-winning Ooredoo Supernet at Doha Metro Red Line buildings, including in underground areas, at grade and elevated stations. Our next-generation In-Building Solution (IBS) will cover an impressive 18 stations across the Doha Metro Red Line including the central point of Musheireb, which will serve as a busy transit point and main intersection for the Red, Green, Gold and Blue Lines. Ooredoo continues to be a leading technology provider for Qatar’s most prestigious projects, as we work to provide the very best services for the people and companies of Qatar.”

Qatar Rail and QNBN have made a commitment to work together on all operations related to the use and maintenance of fiber optic cables and passive telecommunications infrastructure. Dr. Eng. Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, QnBn CEO, said: “We are proud of this partnership with Qatar Railways Company which will strengthen the role of Qatar National Broadband Network in achieving Qatar National Vision 2030, providing the highest standards for telecoms and transport services and helping to support the pace of economic growth in the state of Qatar."

The MoU with QNBN aims to utilize opportunities for cooperation in managing, operating, and maintaining the fiber optic cables and related technologies located in Qatar Rail stations, ensuring the highest international standards are met to provide the proper infrastructure for a high-quality telecommunications network for metro users, therefore providing vital support to this landmark economic project. The MoU with Vodafone will ensure the availability of high quality telecommunications services to the general public using the Doha Metro Green and Gold Lines from the commencement of railway services.

“When Vodafone came to Qatar we made a commitment to bring our global expertise to provide world class telecommunications infrastructure to help realize Qatar National Vision 2030 so we are proud of our partnership with Qatar Rail that will see us providing the Doha Metro’s Green and Gold lines with telecommunications services. Once the lines are open in 2020, a key time when the country will host the World Cup, Vodafone will ensure citizens, residents and visitors will enjoy a superior network quality experience,” said Mr. Ian Gray, CEO, Vodafone Qatar.

Eng. Abdulla Abdulaziz T. Al Subaie concluded by saying that the Doha Metro project is progressing well and that Qatar Rail in working with the very best entities in Qatar, who share Qatar Rail’s vision, will provide the metro users with a sustainable and world class public railway transportation system. The first phase of the Doha Metro project is expected to be complete in 2020.