Qtel and AT&T to Work Together to Offer the Region’s Most Advanced Global Network Services

Qtel Joins An Exclusive Global Network Family

San Antonio, Texas, January 25, 2006, Doha, Qatar -- Qatar Telecom (Qtel) announced today the deployment of a state-of-the-art ’global network node’ and the launch of Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP VPN) services in Qatar that will provide Qtel’s customers with safe, secure and reliable global connectivity.

Qtel will deliver the global connectivity and IP VPN services working with AT&T Inc. and NavLink. At the same time, Qtel provides large multinational companies from all over the world with network presence in Qatar and the rest of the Middle East.

The global network node is one of the first of its of its kind to be deployed in the Middle East and clearly confirms Qtel’s status as a leading regional service provider. The network node is hosted in Qtel’s new Qatar Data Center, which has been built to the highest standards and specifications.

Qtel Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nasser Marafih said, “Under the leadership of H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, we have embarked on a program to lead the region into the next generation of telecom and IT related services.”

“By establishing this network node in Doha, Qtel can now offer leading Qatari and multinational enterprises a wide range of new advanced data services, including world wide connectivity over a global network.”The IP VPN service delivers the feature-rich capability of a fully managed IP network while providing the reliability, quality and security of an MPLS-based private network environment. Services provided to customers include:


The ability to connect seamlessly to customers’ world wide branches with their headquarters in Doha


The capacity to handle critical and sensitive business information reliably and without delay


Assurance of ’no single point of failure’ allowing customers to continue to conduct business even in the event of a breakdown anywhere in the network


One-Stop-Shopping: end-to-end management of all aspects of the service, including contract renewal, maintenance and billing.

Qtel sees significant opportunities to offer global services to its customers in the public and private sectors. Choosing to pursue strategic partnerships with leading global networking companies - boosts Qtel’s strategic intent to become the One-Stop-Shop for global networking solutions and data centre services for customers not only in Qatar but throughout the region.

About Qtel
Qatar Telecom (Qtel) is the exclusive telecommunications provider in Qatar. Its principal activities include local and international fixed telephone, mobile, Internet, data and cable television services. Qtel also provides mobile telephone services in Oman via Nawras, a joint venture with TDC and Omani partners. Qtel is the prestige partner and official telecommunications provider of the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006.

Qtel is a winner of the 2005 Gulf Excellence Award. The company is listed on the Doha Securities Market and on other stock exchanges in the GCC. For more information, visit www.qtel.com.qa.

About NavLink
NavLink (www.navlink.com) is a system and network integrator and managed service provider, operating in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Founded in December 1996, NavLink achieved a leadership position in high-end IP consulting, system integration, enterprise hosting and managed services serving telcos and new operators, as well as multinational corporations. NavLink operates a carrier class data center in Nice, France part of AT&T’s 26 global data centers. NavLink resells AT&T wholesale and enterprise VPN services in the Middle East and Africa.

About the New AT&T
AT&T Inc. is one of the world’s largest telecommunications holding companies and is the largest in the United States. Operating globally under the AT&T brand, AT&T companies are recognized as the leading worldwide providers of IP-based communications services to business and as leading U.S. providers of high-speed DSL Internet, local and long distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising services. AT&T Inc. holds a 60 percent ownership interest in Cingular Wireless, which is the No. 1 U.S. wireless services provider with more than 52 million wireless customers. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and AT&T products and services is available at www.TheNewATT.com.

This press release has been issued by Qtel Public Relations Department. For further information please contact Waleed Al Sayed, Executive Director for Group Communications (Tel: 4400525 Email: walsayed@qtel.com.qa )

Contact Information

Waleed Al Sayed

xecutive Director for Group Communications

Qtel Public Relations Department

Contact via E-mail