News & Events

In keeping with its ongoing support for the wider Qatari community, Qtel began late December 2007 to offer the deaf of Qatar a 50% discount, the company announced today. The new initiative for the deaf and the hearing-impaired people includes all mobile local text, MMS, voice and video calls.

Qtel Chairman HE Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Bin Saud Al Thani had previously declared the initiative, in a direct response to a demand made by HE Sheikha Hessa bint Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani, the UN Special Rapporteur on Disability, who appeared on “Lakum Al Qarar” show on Qatar TV last October.

Mr. Adel Al Mutawa, Executive Director – Qtel Group Communications, said: “Qtel, as a national operator, takes its responsibilities towards its customers and the society of Qatar very seriously indeed.  I am delighted that through our latest 3G technology, we are able to help address some of the communication problems for those who suffer from deafness or hearing impairment. We worked with the Qatar Cultural & Social Center for the Deaf to implement this discount from Tuesday evening, 25^th of December 2007.”

Mr. Al-Mutawa, in a further supportive step, visited Qatar Cultural & Social Center for the Deaf, and met with its officials reaffirming Qtel’s stress on its social responsibility towards the society in general and people with disabilities or impairments in particular.

The discount is open to all post-paid mobile customers registered with the Qatar Cultural & Social Center for the Deaf. However, in order to help as many deaf and hearing-problem people as possible, Qtel has waived the usual migration fee for those moving from prepaid to post paid services in order to take up this discount.

Mohammed Al-Binali, of the Qatar Cultural & Social Center for the Deaf said: “I am delighted to work with Qtel on this proposal. Through this very generous concession, Qtel will be helping to build a better quality of life for the deaf and those with hearing problems in Qatar.”