17January 2021

CRA Publishes Qatar Spectrum Outlook

The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has published on its website a document titled “Qatar Spectrum Outlook”, which is one of its kind in the region that provides the stakeholders and interested parties with an overview of CRA’s overall approach in terms of the planned activities to manage the radio spectrum affairs in Qatar until 2022.

The Spectrum Outlook includes CRA’s priorities related to some of its planned programs and projects for the radio spectrum until 2022, including CRA’s plans to update the National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP), review the radio spectrum usage fees, and the mechanism of the Quality of Service mobile networks audit, also it highlights some of CRA’s strategic projects that will be implemented before FIFA World Cup - Qatar 2022.

“It is a true pleasure to share Qatar Spectrum Outlook with the stakeholders and interested parties. This document was developed in line with CRA’s keenness to manage the radio spectrum effectively and transparently, as it will help us in enabling the stakeholders and interested parties to understand CRA’s future plans and programs related to the radio spectrum management, especially that the FIFA World Cup - Qatar 2022 is very close,” said His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al-Mannai, President of CRA.

The document outlines CRA’s plans to address issues related to access to radio spectrum and enabling new technologies, and to make resources available to support telecom services and applications that are expected to require new or additional radio spectrum in the coming years, especially during the hosting of the FIFA World Cup - Qatar 2022. The CRA ensures to appropriately and practically meets the radio spectrum needs of a diverse range of actual and potential radio spectrum users. During the development of the document, the CRA ensured to take into consideration a wide range of factors that influence the demand for and the supply of radio spectrum, including: end-user demand, technology changes or advancements, the international harmonization of the radio spectrum, and relevant national or international policies.

It is worth mentioning that the CRA adopted Qatar Spectrum Outlook after taking into account the views and comments received earlier and related to the CRA's public consultation conducted in this regard. The views and comments were submitted by stakeholders, concerned and interested parties from the local and international Information and Communications Technology industry.