Qatar launches national initiative to mark ITU's 160th anniversary
The initiative features a diverse sequence of programmes developed in collaboration with local organisations and international partners.
To commemorate the 160th anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Qatars Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has launched a nationwide initiative aimed at fostering digital inclusion and community engagement. Unveiled on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, the initiative aligns with the CRA Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030, highlighting the countrys long-standing partnership with the ITU and its commitment to inclusive digital advancement.
Running under the theme Everyone Connected, Everyone Engaged, the initiative underscores Qatars support for global digital transformation by promoting the use of telecommunications and information technology for social benefit. It seeks to translate this vision into tangible outcomes that enhance connectivity and digital literacy across the country.
Commenting on the programme, Engineer Ahmad Abdulla Al-Muslemani, President of CRA and Chair-Designate of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2026, said: 'As we join the global community in marking the ITUs 160th anniversary, Qatar reaffirms its dedication to a digitally empowered and inclusive future. This programme is a testament to our enduring relationship with the Union and our shared mission to effectively regulate telecommunications and information technology, improve quality of life and transform digital opportunities into tangible achievements for all members of society.'
The initiative features a diverse sequence of programmes developed in collaboration with local organisations and international partners. It begins an awareness workshop aimed at enhancing digital safety for the elderly, in cooperation with Ehsan Centre for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly, to provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and independently engage with the digital world.
Manal Ahmed AlMannai, CEO of Ehsan, added: 'Our partnership with the Communications Regulatory Authority enables us to extend our long-standing mission into the digital world, and empower the elderly to use technology safely and confidently, ensuring that all generations benefit from Qatars digital transformation.'
The initiative also includes a range of diverse programs developed in collaboration with several local organisations, aimed at engaging all segments of society, empowering people with disabilities, supporting the elderly, and inspiring youth pursuing careers in ICT.
These efforts reflect Qatar's steadfast dedication to achieving digital inclusion and enhancing its active presence both regionally and internationally in the journey toward a knowledge-based digital economy that ensures equal opportunities for access and progress for all.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
5 days ago
- Zawya
Ookla collaborates with National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) to organise the Telecommunications Regulatory Summit – Middle East & Africa, to discuss strategies for measuring and optimizing network performance
Ookla ® ( a global leader in connectivity intelligence, and the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) organised the Telecommunications Regulatory Summit – Middle East&Africa in Cairo, Egypt, under the theme 'Harnessing Data and Technology for Superior QoS: Strategies for Measuring and Optimising Network Performance'. The event aimed to discuss strategies for collecting, using and sharing crowdsourced data to promote transparency, track policy impacts, and make informed investment decisions. The summit convened regulators from the Middle East and Africa, along with representatives from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the World Broadband Association (WBBA) and various industry experts. During the event, participants shared insights on diverse topics, ranging from network assessment techniques to emerging technologies and their impact on regulations, and the importance of data-driven insights. Furthermore, the regulatory summit highlighted the increasing role of crowdsourced data in telecom regulations and ways in which regulators can leverage it to identify service gaps, promote digital inclusion, drive innovation and accelerate market growth. By complementing traditional data sources, crowdsourced data enables more adaptive and competitive regulatory frameworks. During the event, discussions emphasised the vital role of high-speed internet connectivity in driving socio-economic development across the MEA region. According to studies, improvements in broadband speeds can contribute to GDP growth and improved labour productivity. In the region, investments in fixed broadband infrastructure, especially for the expansion of fibre-optic networks, are vital for improving service quality, bridging the digital divide, and attracting foreign investments. Participants also highlighted the need for comprehensive network assessments and extended regulatory oversight, especially for emerging services and indoor connectivity. Karim Yaici, Lead Industry Analyst for the Middle East and Africa at Ookla, said: 'We are delighted to organise the Telecommunications Regulatory Summit – Middle East&Africa in collaboration with NTRA in Cairo. The event highlighted the importance of data in helping regulators make smarter decisions. Access to and the use of crowdsourced data contribute to making more informed decisions, fostering transparency and ensuring that citizens in the MEA region benefit from high-quality, accessible and affordable connectivity.' Dr. Hossam Abdel-Mawla, Vice-President Technical Affairs and Quality of Service at NTRA, said: 'The Telecommunications Regulatory Summit – Middle East&Africa served as an ideal platform to foster collaborations and knowledge exchange among regulators, industry leaders and international organisations. By actively sharing best practices and exploring innovative data-driven strategies, we are shaping a future where telecom regulations ensure digital inclusion and economic growth across the region.' During the summit, Ahmed Nabawy, Director of Client Services at Ookla, also shared initial findings on 5G coverage and performance in Egypt and Tunisia. He highlighted the potential of Ookla's data in helping prioritise high-impact rollout areas by analysing 5G-capable device density. Furthermore, Ookla showcased its product portfolio strategy, which is centred on a unified data platform that transcends traditional quality of service (QoS) measurements to deliver deeper insights into network performance and user experiences. This solution leverages AI to generate actionable recommendations, empowering operators to make smarter decisions and enhance connected experiences. During the event, the sessions emphasised the need to move beyond traditional network metrics and incorporate quality of experience (QoE) metrics and address the complexities of modern digital services, including critical in-building connectivity. By leveraging advanced data collection and analysis tools, regulators can enhance transparency, improve accountability, and make smarter decisions. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ookla®. ABOUT OOKLA®: Ookla, a global leader in connectivity intelligence, brings together the trusted expertise of Speedtest®, Downdetector®, Ekahau®, and RootMetrics® to deliver unmatched network and connectivity insights. By combining multi-source data with industry-leading expertise, we transform network performance metrics into strategic, actionable insights. Our solutions empower service providers, enterprises, and governments with the critical data and insights needed to optimize networks, enhance digital experiences, and help close the digital divide. At the same time, we amplify the real-world experiences of individuals and businesses that rely on connectivity to work, learn, and communicate. From measuring and analyzing connectivity to driving industry innovation, Ookla helps the world stay connected. Ookla is a division of Ziff Davis (NASDAQ: ZD), a vertically focused digital media and internet company whose portfolio includes leading brands in technology, entertainment, shopping, health, cybersecurity, and martech.
Zawya
6 days ago
- Zawya
CRA opens access to over 4,860km of govt telecom infrastructure across Qatar
Doha, Qatar: The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has opened access to more than 4,860km of government telecom duct infrastructure across Qatar. This forms part of CRA's broader regulatory mandate to optimise the use of national telecom assets, enable licensed service providers to scale their networks more efficiently, and support the delivery of high-quality digital services to homes and businesses. The initiative reflects CRA's strategic objective to promote fair and open access to essential telecom infrastructure—reducing duplicate deployments, improving investment efficiency, and accelerating the rollout of next-generation technologies such as fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and 5G. It supports Qatar's ambitions for a robust digital economy and future-ready connectivity ecosystem. Ali Al-Suwaidi, Director of the Technical Affairs Department at CRA stated: 'Ensuring equitable access to national telecom infrastructure is a core part of our regulatory mandate. It enables licensed service providers to scale efficiently and deliver reliable services that meet users' expectations. This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing Qatar's digital ecosystem, supporting innovation, and contributing to economic diversification. We also commend the strong collaboration with Ashghal in realising this strategic milestone.' Delivered in collaboration with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), the infrastructure spans 60 projects and covers over 40,000 residential, commercial, and government premises nationwide. The rollout was governed by a 2014 Memorandum of Understanding between CRA and Ashghal, which formalised planning, construction, and transfer protocols. To date, more than 15,500 premises have been connected via the CRA-managed government telecom duct infrastructure. Ooredoo has utilised 468km of ducts to serve 2,010 consumers premises, while Vodafone Qatar has deployed 251km to connect 1,150 of its consumers. These figures underscore growing industry reliance on a shared national duct network as a foundation for reliable and scalable connectivity. CRA oversees access to the network through its Duct Management System (DMS), a GIS-based digital platform that facilitates real-time capacity visibility, application processing, and coordination for network extensions. This ensures transparency, efficiency, and alignment with national infrastructure policy. This access model enhances the quality of digital services for users, enabling high-performance connectivity that supports remote work, e-learning, and digital government services. It also fosters competition. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Web Release
30-05-2025
- Web Release
Google Cloud Summit Doha Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary of Local Region, Showcasing AI Breakthroughs and Qatar's Digital Momentum
Google Cloud hosted its second annual Google Cloud Summit in Doha, held under the patronage of His Excellency Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, bringing together over 1,500 industry leaders, developers, and IT professionals. The Summit marks two years of the Google Cloud Doha region empowering local innovation and is set to explore the latest advancements in AI, data analytics, and cloud technologies. The event featured significant discussions and announcements on strategic collaborations, including key developments with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) aimed at advancing Qatar's digital transformation journey. The Google Cloud Summit Doha showcased the vibrant tech ecosystem in Qatar and Google Cloud's commitment to it. Attendees experienced keynotes from Google Cloud executives and Qatari leaders, gained insights into transformative AI technologies like Gemini, AI Agents, and NotebookLM, heard compelling customer success stories, and participated in deep-dive sessions on data management and cybersecurity. This ongoing partnership with Qatar is poised to play a vital role in building a resilient, secure, and digitally advanced ecosystem in the nation. Mr. Sami Al Shammari, Assistant Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Operations Affairs at MCIT, stated: 'Our collaboration with Google Cloud has served as a key enabler in Qatar's journey toward a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy. Since the launch of the Doha cloud region two years ago, this collaboration has yielded tangible outcomes that directly support the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly in enhancing digital infrastructure, delivering scalable and secure government services, and building a future-ready digital workforce.' Mr. Sami added that 'by providing access to cutting-edge cloud technologies, Google Cloud is empowering entities alike to innovate, improve service delivery, and accelerate progress across key sectors. Their contributions in areas such as artificial intelligence and data analytics are also playing a pivotal role in developing local digital talent and equipping our workforce with the skills needed for tomorrow's challenges. We are eager to continue this productive partnership, further solidifying Qatar's digital future and working in tandem to realize the ambitious goals of the Digital Agenda 2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030.' Ghassan Kosta, Regional General Manager, Google Cloud Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Iraq, said: 'Today's Google Cloud Summit in Doha marks a truly pivotal moment in our Qatari journey, celebrating two years of our local cloud region and our strong partnerships. We are deeply honored by the continued collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and their trust in Google Cloud. This success is a shared achievement, magnified by the crucial contributions of all our partners and the inspiring innovation of our customers who join us in celebrating today. Together, by providing our advanced AI, data analytics, and secure cloud infrastructure through our local Doha region, we are committed to accelerating Qatar's digital transformation, empowering its public services, and energizing its dynamic digital economy.' The Summit also highlighted how a diverse range of leading Qatari organizations are leveraging Google Cloud for their transformation journeys. These include Al Jazeera Media Network (AJMN), Aspire, beIN MEDIA GROUP, Media City Qatar, Ministry of Endowment & Islamic Affairs (Awqaf), Ministry of Labour, Ooredoo Group, Ooredoo Qatar, Qatar Airways, Qatar Foundation Pre-University Education, Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA), Qatar Insurance Company (QIC), Snoonu, University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) among many others who are driving innovation across various sectors.
