logo
CRA opens public consultation on updated Retail Tariff Instruction 2025

CRA opens public consultation on updated Retail Tariff Instruction 2025

Qatar Tribune4 days ago
Tribune News Network
Doha
The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has opened a public consultation to seek feedback on the updated Retail Tariff Instruction (RTI) 2025.
This consultation is part of CRA's ongoing efforts to develop regulatory frameworks and adapt to changes in the telecommunications sector. The updated version builds on the original Decision of the President of the CRA No. 3 of 2018, issuing the Retail Tariff Instruction which laid the foundation for Qatar's retail tariff regulatory framework and has been in force since January 1, 2019.
The RTI applies to all licensed service providers who offer telecom services to the public in Qatar. It sets out rules, procedures, and requirements for retail offers for telecommunications services.
The 2025 revision introduces several important updates, drawing on the experience accumulated by the CRA in the process of retail tariff regulation since the RTI came into force, and aligning with international best practice.
These include enhanced tariff classification, stricter provisions on service periods and exit penalties, clearer guidance for promotional and bespoke tariffs, and expanded reporting requirements for loyalty programmes, and expanding the flexibility in providing a variety of services, enhancing consumer value while ensuring regulatory compliance.
By allowing the CRA to review each service provider's retail offers before they are introduced into the market, and instructing service providers on the extent and type of information that must be published for each offer, the RTI ensures consumers are equipped with the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions.
In 2024 alone, CRA reviewed over 350 tariff submissions, covering pricing, service durations, promotional terms, and exit conditions.
Since 2008, service providers have also been required to publish approved tariffs on their websites, ensuring public transparency and access to accurate pricing information.
The public consultation on this revised RTI aims to ensure that consumers continue to benefit from high-quality telecom services in line with global standards.
It forms part of the CRA's ongoing strategy to promote connectivity, collaboration, and digital transformation within Qatar's ICT sector, ensuring the public has an opportunity to comment on the rules and processes that govern the offering of telecommunications services in Qatar.
In line with Qatar National Vision 2030, the consultation supports the national objective of building a competitive, transparent, and consumer-focused telecom market.
The Retail Tariff Instruction 2025 draft and related documents are available on the CRA website at the following link: https://www.cra.gov.qa/en/document/public-consultation-retail-tariff-instruction-2025
CRA invites stakeholders and interested parties to submit their input by August 31, 2025via email to
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

beIN partners with PayLater to expand payment options
beIN partners with PayLater to expand payment options

Qatar Tribune

time17 hours ago

  • Qatar Tribune

beIN partners with PayLater to expand payment options

Tribune News Network Doha beIN Media Group (beIN), the global sports, entertainment and media group, has signed a Partnership Agreement with PayLater, Qatar's first licensed Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) provider. The partnership enables customers in Qatar to pay for all beIN products, including new subscriptions and package renewals, using interest-free instalment plans, both for online payments and in-store purchase transactions. To mark the occasion, a signing ceremony was held on Wednesday 16 July, at beIN's MENA Headquarters in Doha, attended by Hamad Aljaber, regional sales manager at beIN MENA, and Mohammed Abdulaziz Al Delaimi, co-founder of PayLater. Hamad Aljaber, regional sales manager at beIN MENA, commented on the partnership: 'We're proud to partner with PayLater to offer our customers greater payment flexibility when purchasing beIN products. This collaboration aligns with our commitment to providing the best and most convenient customer experience, while supporting Qatar's efforts to build an advanced, cashless digital economy in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.' Mohammed Abdulaziz Al Delaimi, co-founder of PayLater, said: 'This partnership with beIN marks a significant step in our mission to embed smart, Shari'a-compliant financial solutions into everyday consumer experiences. beIN has always been a household name in Qatar, and this integration brings our seamless instalment service to millions of loyal fans, helping them access the content they love without compromising on convenience or affordability.' The partnership underscores both companies' commitment to giving customers in Qatar greater access to flexible, affordable payment options while fostering continued innovation in the local fintech sector.

QCB issues new rules to improve banking access for elderly and disabled
QCB issues new rules to improve banking access for elderly and disabled

Qatar Tribune

time2 days ago

  • Qatar Tribune

QCB issues new rules to improve banking access for elderly and disabled

Tribune News Network Doha In a landmark move to promote financial inclusion, the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) has issued a comprehensive circular mandating all banks and financial institutions in the country to improve access to financial services for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. This initiative aligns with the Third Financial Sector Strategy and Qatar's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) & Sustainability Strategy for the Financial Sector, reflecting the country's commitment to building an inclusive and accessible financial environment. The new guidelines focus on two key customer groups: elderly clients and individuals with disabilities who are capable of making their own financial decisions. Banks are now required to make structural and service-related modifications to ensure that these groups can access and benefit from banking services independently and with dignity. Under the new regulations, all bank branches and ATM locations must be physically accessible. This includes the installation of ramps, electronic doors, and tactile floor signage to support customers with mobility or visual impairments. Furthermore, the targeted customer groups must be given priority when conducting transactions within bank premises, ensuring they are not subjected to long wait times or unnecessary procedural delays. Privacy during banking transactions must be strictly maintained, particularly for customers with disabilities. To bridge communication gaps, the QCB has instructed banks to train a segment of their customer service personnel in basic sign language. Where this is not feasible, institutions are expected to offer virtual interpreter services to assist customers with hearingimpairments. Educational initiatives must also be undertaken to inform these vulnerable groups, especially the elderly, about the risks of over-indebtedness, thereby enabling them to make informed and responsible financial decisions. A key feature of the directive is the requirement that at least 15 percent of all ATM machines be equipped with Braille and audio headset facilities. These machines must be clearly marked with symbols indicating which types of disabilities they support. Banks are also responsible for guiding customers with disabilities to the nearest accessible branches or ATM facilities to ensure smooth and uninterrupted access to essential banking services. The Central Bank's instructions also place strong emphasis on protecting elderly clients from financial exploitation. Bank employees will receive training to recognize and respond appropriately to signs of financial abuse. Institutions must take proactive steps by meeting with elderly customers to confirm the details of financial arrangements, particularly those involving powers of attorney, and ensure that these clients fully understand the legal implications. Elderly individuals must also be encouraged to seek independent legal or financial advice before authorizing another person to manage their financial affairs. To ensure uniform implementation, QCB has given all banks and financial institutions operating in Qatar a period of five months to comply with the new set of regulations. This move by Qatar's apex banking authority is a significant step toward fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and supportive financial landscape—one that acknowledges and accommodates the diverse needs of its citizens.

Qatar Tourism launches ‘The Art of Front Office Hospitality' training programme
Qatar Tourism launches ‘The Art of Front Office Hospitality' training programme

Qatar Tribune

time2 days ago

  • Qatar Tribune

Qatar Tourism launches ‘The Art of Front Office Hospitality' training programme

Doha Qatar Tourism's Service Excellence Academy has launched 'The Art of Front Office Hospitality', with the aim of providing training to 400 frontline hotel staff from properties rated four stars and below. In a press release issued on Monday, Qatar Tourism said that the two-day training course was designed to address the specific needs of this segment and that it focuses on guest relations, cultural sensitivity, and operational efficiency. It added that the first batch of 84 participants has successfully completed the program and received certification. This initiative forms part of Qatar Tourism's broader Service Excellence strategy and contributes to the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030 by fostering professional development and raising service standards across the آ tourism sector.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store